Prey refuges as predator hotspots: ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) attraction to agouti (Dasyprocta punctata) dens

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that prey refuges attract predators, leading to elevated predator activity in the vicinity of refuges. We used camera traps to determine whether the spatial activity of a predator, the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), was biased toward refuge locations of its principal prey, the agouti (Dasyprocta punctata). We radio-tracked agoutis at night to locate active refuges and compared the activity of ocelots between these refuges and surrounding control grid locations. We found that ocelots visited the area near agouti refuges significantly more often and for longer periods of time than control locations, and that they actively investigated the refuge entrances. Both occupied and unoccupied refuges were visited, but the duration of inspection was longer at occupied refuges. As the ocelots could probably not see the agoutis within the refuges, olfaction likely cued foraging ocelots. Two refuges were repeatedly visited by the same ocelots on different days, suggesting spatial memory. Overall, our results suggest that predators can be attracted to prey refuges or refuging prey. The benefits to prey of staying nearby a refuge would thus be counterbalanced by higher likelihoods of predator encounter. This should stimulate prey to use multiple refuges alternatingly and to not enter or exit refuges at times of high predator activity.

The role of sleeping sites in the predator‐prey dynamics of leopards and olive baboons

“…Certain cliffside sleeping sites (e.g., Baboon Cliffs) constituted reliable locations at which to find baboons at night, and so for Mpala leopards, those sites can be considered prey hotspots (Emsens et al, ). Our earlier research showed that leopards sometimes moved directly to such sleeping sites when baboons were there (Isbell et al, ).…”

“…Because such sites are spatially clumped and limited resources, they can influence both ranging behavior (DeVore & Hall, ; Hamilton, ; Anderson, ; Strandburg‐Peshkin, Farine, Crofoot, & Couzin, ) and intergroup interactions (Altmann & Altmann, ; Markham, Guttal, Alberts, & Altmann, ; Markham et al, ). Limited numbers of sleeping sites may also create prey hotspots for predators (Emsens, Hirsch, Kays, & Jansen, ). In fact, most documented predation events on baboons have occurred at or very near sleeping sites (Busse, ; Cheney et al, ; Cowlishaw, ; Isbell, Bidner, Van Cleave, Matsumoto‐Oda, & Crofoot, ; Matsumoto‐Oda, ).…”

Predator interference effects on biological control: The “paradox” of the generalist predator revisited

“…This is interpreted as movement from high towards low concentrations of r, directly proportional to r. Hence, r attempts to disperses toward lower concentrations, due to the excessive intraspecific competition from interference. There is a fair amount of literature that in high prey density areas intraspecific competition in predator species is heightened [34]. In such a setting the predators should have greater dispersal in order to better assimilate available resources and avoid crowding.…”

EXAMINING INDIVIDUAL RISK-TAKING IN Leontopithecus caissara (PRIMATES, CALLITRICHIDAE): GROUP ORDER WHEN ARRIVING AT AND DEPARTING FROM SLEEPING SITES

“…Predators have been observed taking advantage of a known sleeping site location, visiting the site often and choosing periods when their prey arrive at and/or depart from the shelter (Franklin et al 2007;Emsens et al 2014). Traveling in a coordinated line towards the sleeping site would increase the predation risk for the individual in front of the group, while it would give the remaining individuals a chance to escape (Heymann 1995;Day & Elwood 1999;Franklin et al 2007).…”

“…When retiring, callitrichids show cautious behaviors such as moving fast and in line towards the sleeping site, a highly coordinated behavior that hypothetically reduces the chances of predation (Heymann 1995;Day and Elwood 1999;Franklin et al 2007). Predation risk is also high the next day as predators are likely to ambush their prey as they are arising (Smith et al 2003;Emsens et al 2014). Ocelots have already been observed in an attempt to hunt lion tamarins during arising time, pointing to the potential costs of being the first in line while retiring to and departing from the sleeping site (Nascimento 2008).…”