Intraguild Predation and Interspecific Killing as Structuring Forces of Carnivoran Communities in South America

Abstract

Intraguild predation (IGP) and interspecific killing (IK) have been recently acknowledged as important ecological forces that could influence community structure. Not only can carnivores influence prey community composition, they might also impact the populations of other carnivores. The goal of the current study was to assess the role of IGP and IK as significant forces influencing carnivoran assemblages in South America. To this end, we compiled the available records on 35 species of terrestrial carnivorans in the subcontinent, to investigate the potential and actual extent of IGP/IK as widespread ecological forces. We considered potential intraguild predators those having >20 % range overlap and body mass 2-5.4 times greater than that of other guild members and likely-potential intraguild predators those that, in addition, were also hypercarnivorous. The potential number of intraguild predators for those species evaluated ranged from zero to 18 (mean=5.35±SE 0.74). IGP/IK events (n =116) included 52 pairs of Neotropical carnivorans, 13 of which were killers and 25 were victims. Confirmed intraguild predator species (n =13) accounted for 37.1 % of the assemblage, nearly the same value predicted to be likely potential predators (n = 14). IGP and IK were highly associated with the hypercarnivorous felids, whereas victim species were most often the omnivorous procyonids and skunks. The results indicate jaguars, pumas, and ocelots as the species most likely to have significant impact on the guild. IGP and IK are not random and reflect widespread interactions that influence carnivoran community structure in South America.

Ecological correlates of the spatial co‐occurrence of sympatric mammalian carnivores worldwide

“…), thus shifting the role that smaller carnivores play in ecological communities (Bischof et al . ; de Oliveira & Pereira ). Large carnivores can also promote the abundance of small species by reducing the abundance of mesopredators (Estes et al .…”

Jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi) predation by puma (Puma concolor) in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

“…In South America, there are several records of carnivore species that had been consumed by pumas (Oliveira & Pereira 2014). However, the predation of wild cats is uncommon, especially in Brazil.…”

“…In the south portion of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Vidolin (2004) recorded the presence of Leopardus pardalis in two puma feces at the Reserva Natural Salto Morato, state of Paraná. In other countries of South America, it has been cited some other felids such as Leopardus sp., Leopardus geofroyi and Leopardus colocolo as part of puma's diet (Oliveira & Pereira 2014). On the other hand, the predation of bobcats Lynx rufus by pumas in the USA, seems to be a common record, since these species have a great niche overlap (Haas 2009).…”

“…Yet, most of the jaguarundi ecology is poorly known (Giordano 2016), and few information is available about species that may act as its predator. Oliveira & Pereira (2014) is an important interaction for structuring carnivoran communities. Apex predators such as puma and jaguars Panthera onca (Linnaeus, 1758), may have an important impact over mesocarnivore populations, since they consume some of them over time (Crawshaw & Quigley 2002, Vidolin 2004, Pereira et al 2010.…”

Prairie dogs increase fitness by killing interspecific competitors

“…risk of injury) is probably small for killers [11][12][13][14]22], but the cost (e.g. death) can be enormous for victims.…”