Serosurvey of mountain lions in southern Arizona

Nicholson, Kerry L.; Noon, T. H.; Krausman, Paul R.

doi:10.1002/wsb.155

Cited by 7 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…While some authors have observed a functional response to housing density in which pumas occupying rural areas show higher tolerance for housing structures than pumas occupying more sparsely developed exurban areas (Burdett et al., ; Kertson, Spencer, & Grue, ), others have not detected this pattern (Wilmers et al., ) and tolerance is likely to only occur at very low housing densities. Despite the fact that pumas collared in this study were captured immediately adjacent to the urban centers of Tucson, Payson, and Prescott, they were rarely observed to pass through even the outer edges of these areas as defined by fairly abrupt increases in degree of human modification (also see Nicholson, ). Expansion of human settlements is generally expected to restrict puma movements and to reduce availability of high‐quality habitat required to support more sensitive behavioral states, particularly reproduction (Wilmers et al., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…Analyses were based on existing global positioning system (GPS) collar location data from 28 pumas captured and monitored by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) between August 2005 and March 2008 in the areas surrounding Payson, Prescott, and Tucson, Arizona (Nicholson, ). Capture efforts were focused on mountain ranges adjacent (<10 km) to urban areas because the objective of the original study was to examine the ecology and spatial movements of mountain lions near urban areas.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the southern portion of the state, pumas tend to occupy more mountainous or rugged areas that otherwise are surrounded by desert basins (McRae et al, 2005). Although pumas may infrequently traverse these basin features (Nicholson, 2009;Sweanor et al, 2000), these areas tend to also be readily used and impacted by humans and may increase risks associated with movement. Pumas are known to be sensitive to the presence of human structures (Beier, 1995;Wilmers et al, 2013), roads (Beier & Barrett, 1993;Dickson, Jenness, & Beier, 2005;Sweanor et al, 2000), traffic (Alexander & Waters, 2000;Alexander, Waters, & Paquet, 2005;Schwab & Zandbergen, 2011), and other human activity (Beier, 1995;Morrison, Boyce, Nielsen, & Bacon, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Modeling connectivity to identify current and future anthropogenic barriers to movement of large carnivores: A case study in the American Southwest

McClure

Dickson

Nicholson

2017

Ecology and Evolution

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This study sought to identify critical areas for puma (Puma concolor) movement across the state of Arizona in the American Southwest and to identify those most likely to be impacted by current and future human land uses, particularly expanding urban development and associated increases in traffic volume. Human populations in this region are expanding rapidly, with the potential for urban centers and busy roads to increasingly act as barriers to demographic and genetic connectivity of large‐bodied, wide‐ranging carnivores such as pumas, whose long‐distance movements are likely to bring them into contact with human land uses and whose low tolerance both for and from humans may put them at risk unless opportunities for safe passage through or around human‐modified landscapes are present. Brownian bridge movement models based on global positioning system collar data collected during bouts of active movement and linear mixed models were used to model habitat quality for puma movement; then, a wall‐to‐wall application of circuit theory models was used to produce a continuous statewide estimate of connectivity for puma movement and to identify pinch points, or bottlenecks, that may be most at risk of impacts from current and future traffic volume and expanding development. Rugged, shrub‐ and scrub‐dominated regions were highlighted as those offering high quality movement habitat for pumas, and pinch points with the greatest potential impacts from expanding development and traffic, although widely distributed, were particularly prominent to the north and east of the city of Phoenix and along interstate highways in the western portion of the state. These pinch points likely constitute important conservation opportunities, where barriers to movement may cause disproportionate loss of connectivity, but also where actions such as placement of wildlife crossing structures or conservation easements could enhance connectivity and prevent detrimental impacts before they occur.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Modeling connectivity to identify current and future anthropogenic barriers to movement of large carnivores: A case study in the American Southwest

McClure

Dickson

Nicholson

2017

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Ocelots and jaguars are recognized as endangered in the region [8][9][10]; however, the status of all four felid species are likely threatened by shared environmental pressures, including drought [11], habitat fragmentation and encroachment (which can lead to human-wildlife conflict), and emerging diseases. While antibodies to canine distemper virus (CDV) have been detected in Sonoran jaguars [12] and antibodies to CDV, feline panleukopenia virus, feline calicivirus, and feline enteric coronavirus have been detected in pumas from southern Arizona [13], other viruses circulating in populations of Sonoran felids are largely unknown. Cataloging the diversity of viruses present in these felids could reveal an abundance of both known and novel viruses; although most viruses are not pathogenic, some may cause disease and be relevant to conservation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Circoviruses Detected in Feces of Sonoran Felids

Payne

Kraberger

Fontenele

et al. 2020

Viruses

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Sonoran felids are threatened by drought and habitat fragmentation. Vector range expansion and anthropogenic factors such as habitat encroachment and climate change are altering viral evolutionary dynamics and exposure. However, little is known about the diversity of viruses present in these populations. Small felid populations with lower genetic diversity are likely to be most threatened with extinction by emerging diseases, as with other selective pressures, due to having less adaptive potential. We used a metagenomic approach to identify novel circoviruses, which may have a negative impact on the population viability, from confirmed bobcat (Lynx rufus) and puma (Puma concolor) scats collected in Sonora, Mexico. Given some circoviruses are known to cause disease in their hosts, such as porcine and avian circoviruses, we took a non-invasive approach using scat to identify circoviruses in free-roaming bobcats and puma. Three circovirus genomes were determined, and, based on the current species demarcation, they represent two novel species. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that one circovirus species is more closely related to rodent associated circoviruses and the other to bat associated circoviruses, sharing highest genome-wide pairwise identity of approximately 70% and 63%, respectively. At this time, it is unknown whether these scat-derived circoviruses infect felids, their prey, or another organism that might have had contact with the scat in the environment. Further studies should be conducted to elucidate the host of these viruses and assess health impacts in felids.

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“…Ocelots and jaguars are recognized as endangered in the region [8][9][10], however, the status of all four felids species are likely threatened by shared environmental pressures, including drought [11], habitat fragmentation and encroachment (which can lead to human-wildlife conflict), and emerging diseases. While antibodies to canine distemper virus (CDV) have been detected in Sonoran jaguars [12] and antibodies to CDV, feline panleukopenia virus, feline calcivirus, and feline enteric coronavirus have been detected in pumas from southern Arizona [13], other viruses circulating in populations of Sonoran felids are largely unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Circoviruses Detected in Feces of Sonoran Felids

Payne

Kraberger

Fontenele

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sonoran felids are threatened by drought and habitat fragmentation. Vector range expansion and anthropogenic factors such as habitat encroachment and climate change are altering viral evolutionary dynamics and exposure. However, little is known about the diversity of viruses present in these populations. Small felid populations with lower genetic diversity are likely to be most threatened with extinction by emerging diseases, as with other selective pressures, due to having less adaptive potential. We used a metagenomic approach to identify novel circoviruses, which may have a negative impact on the population viability, from confirmed bobcat (Lynx rufus) and puma (Puma concolor) scats collected in Sonora, Mexico. Given some circoviruses are known to cause disease in their hosts, such as porcine and avian circoviruses, we took a non-invasive approach using scat to identify circoviruses in free-roaming bobcats and puma. Three circovirus genomes were determined, and, based on the current species demarcation, they represent two novel species. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that one circovirus species is more closely related to rodent associated circoviruses and the other to bat associated circoviruses, sharing the highest genome-wide pairwise identity of approximately 70% and 63%, respectively. At this time, it is unknown whether these scat-derived circoviruses infect felids, their prey, or another organism that might have had contact with the scat in the environment. Further studies should be conducted to elucidate the host of these viruses and assess health impacts in felids.

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Serosurvey of mountain lions in southern Arizona

Cited by 7 publications

References 25 publications

Modeling connectivity to identify current and future anthropogenic barriers to movement of large carnivores: A case study in the American Southwest

Modeling connectivity to identify current and future anthropogenic barriers to movement of large carnivores: A case study in the American Southwest

Novel Circoviruses Detected in Feces of Sonoran Felids

Novel Circoviruses Detected in Feces of Sonoran Felids

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