Predation of artificial bird nests in suburban gardens of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Patterson, Lindsay; Kalle, Riddhika; Downs, Colleen T.

doi:10.1007/s11252-016-0526-4

Cited by 20 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…Many studies have shown that the use of artificial refuges is linked to their attractiveness to predators (e.g., Anderson et al, 2016; Patterson, Kalle, & Downs, 2016). One of Australia's most successful introduced predators, the feral cat, often prefers open habitats (Hernandez‐Santin et al, 2016; Hohnen et al, 2016; McDonald et al, 2016; McGregor et al, 2015; Pavey et al, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Artificial refuges to combat habitat loss for an endangered marsupial predator: How do they measure up?

Cowan

Dunlop

Turner

et al. 2020

Conservat Sci and Prac

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One technique used to combat the growing global species extinction crisis has been to create artificial refuges-human-made replacements for natural refuges destroyed during habitat modification. However, there is limited knowledge of how closely artificial refuges replicate the natural refuges they seek to replace. Mining threatens many species worldwide through large-scale habitat modification, and artificial refuges have been proposed as a method to offset the resulting habitat loss. Here, we examined the microclimatic, physical, and biotic characteristics of natural dens occupied by the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus)-an endangered marsupial threatened by habitat loss-and compared these to (a) superficially similar unoccupied crevices, and (b) artificial dens created by mining companies for northern quolls. Northern quolls occupied natural dens that were cooler and deeper than unoccupied crevices, likely to avoid lethal air temperatures as well as predators. Artificial dens provided similar thermal properties to occupied dens, but lacked key characteristics in having shallower den cavities, less complex surrounding habitat, increased feral cat visitation, and less small mammal prey compared to occupied dens.This study highlights the need to consider multiple facets when constructing artificial refuges, in order to avoid perverse outcomes, such as inadequate shelter, increased predation, and food shortages.activity patterns, artificial den, artificial refuge, Dasyurus hallucatus, feral cat, habitat loss, habitat restoration, northern quoll, revegetation, thermal limits

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Artificial refuges to combat habitat loss for an endangered marsupial predator: How do they measure up?

Cowan

Dunlop

Turner

et al. 2020

Conservat Sci and Prac

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“…Therefore, the proportion of invertebrates, small vertebrates, and in this case, eggs, is perhaps frequently underestimated in the diets of primates living in forested environments where observers’ visibility is limited. Other studies have already used artificial nests monitored by camera traps to investigate nest predation by primates (Anderson et al, ; Bicca‐Marques et al, ; Carter & Bright, ; Feild et al, ; Patterson et al, ). However, the experimental design used in this study, combining the use of artificial nests in different microhabitats with the estimation of the ranging patterns of the studied predator, appears to have never been used to study bird nest predation by a primate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Only a few studies have investigated nest predation by primates (Anderson et al, ; Bicca‐Marques et al, ; Carter & Bright, ; Feild et al, ; Patterson, Kalle, & Downs, ). In Durban, South Africa, dummy nests monitored using camera traps were used to explore the importance of this phenomenon within a suburban environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This study identified the vervet monkey ( Cercopithecus aethiops pygerythrus ) as the most important predator, responsible for 89% of the predation events. Additionally, nest predation was much higher in winter (78%) than during the rest of the year due to the lack of fruit or other plant resources during this season (Patterson et al, ). A similar experimental design was used in the Silver Spring State Park of Florida, USA, to evaluate predation by rhesus macaques introduced in the 1930s.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Foraging strategies underlying bird egg predation by macaques: A study using artificial nests

Kaisin

Gazagne

Savini³

et al. 2018

American J Primatol

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Bird egg predation is widespread in non-human primates. Although nest predation is often described as opportunistic, little is known about foraging strategies and nest detection in primates. Since it is the prevalent cause of nest failure in the tropics, birds select nest sites within specific microhabitats and use different nest types to increase nesting success. Identifying the nests targeted by the northern pigtailed macaques (Macaca leonina), an omnivorous cercopithecine species, and known nest predator, will shine light on nest foraging strategies in primates. The aim of this research was to reveal if nest predation is a selective or opportunistic feeding behavior. We studied, using artificial nests and camera traps, the influence of nest type (open-cup vs. cavity), microhabitat (i.e., understory density, canopy cover, canopy height, ground cover, and presence vs. absence of thorns and lianas), and nest height, on nest predation by a troop of northern pigtailed macaques in the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve (Thailand), a degraded environment. In our study, macaque predation on artificial nests was high; out of the 200 nests that were set up, 112 were plundered by macaques. Although predation rates decreased with nest height, nest type, and microhabitat had no significant effect on predation by macaques. Nest detectability and accessibility did not affect predation rates. Macaques actively searched for nests in different microhabitats, suggesting that nest predation by this primate might be considered a selective feeding behavior in this degraded habitat. Consequently, nest predation by this primate might have important conservation implications on the population dynamics of forest-dwelling bird species.Behavior observation methods, such as instantaneous scan sampling, may underestimate nest predation by primates, a furtive and cryptic behavior. K E Y W O R D S camera traps, feeding ecology, Macaca leonina, nest predation, Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Thailand

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“…Vervet monkeys, Chlorocebus pygerythrus, are a common generalist primate that has become highly populated within urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Patterson et al 2016; 2017; 2018). They are, therefore, a suitable model to investigate anthropogenic influences on wildlife parasite load.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Parasitic Load to Measure the Effect of Anthropogenic Disturbance on Vervet Monkeys

2018

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Vervet monkeys, Chlorocebus pygerythrus, thrive in urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and present a suitable model to assess parasitic load as a measure of anthropogenic disturbance, such as urbanization. We collected vervet monkey faecal samples from four study sites representing a gradient of land use and urbanization. We assessed faecal parasites using the faecal flotation method calculating eggs per gram and parasite richness. Overall, the more urban vervet monkey populations had a significantly higher parasite richness and abundance. Our study shows the applicability of using parasite load to measure the effect of urbanization on wildlife.

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Predation of artificial bird nests in suburban gardens of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Cited by 20 publications

References 70 publications

Artificial refuges to combat habitat loss for an endangered marsupial predator: How do they measure up?

Artificial refuges to combat habitat loss for an endangered marsupial predator: How do they measure up?

Foraging strategies underlying bird egg predation by macaques: A study using artificial nests

Using Parasitic Load to Measure the Effect of Anthropogenic Disturbance on Vervet Monkeys

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