Spatiotemporal Overlap between the European Brown Hare and Its Potential Predators and Competitors

Abstract

Analysis of spatiotemporal partitioning is pivotal to shed light on interspecific coexistence. Most research effort has involved large-sized carnivores and their prey, whereas little attention has been devoted to lagomorphs. We assessed spatiotemporal overlap among the European brown hare Lepus europaeus and its potential competitors and predators through camera-trapping in an area in Central Italy. We estimated the interspecific patterns of the spatiotemporal activity rhythms of brown hares, its potential predators (the red fox Vulpes vulpes, the pine marten Martes martes, the domestic cat Felis catus, and the domestic dog Canis familiaris), and a competitor, the roe deer Capreolus capreolus. Brown hare activity was studied in natural conditions as well as in a fenced area that excluded terrestrial predators and competitors. Free-ranging hares developed a more nocturnal behavior to avoid diurnal predators (i.e., domestic carnivores and martens). Although high temporal overlap was observed between free-ranging brown hares and both red foxes (82%) and roe deer (81%), hares avoided fox by being more active on darkest nights, as well as avoided roe deer through spatial partitioning. We suggest that hares may adapt their spatiotemporal behavior to avoid potential predators and competitors.

Exploitative Competition between Mountain Hare and Moose—Qualitative Effects on Hare Winter Forage?

“…In recent years, several studies have suggested competition between lagomorphs and cervids. In Italy, European hare ( L. europaeus ) and roe deer are known to increase their diet overlap in winter [ 26 ]; however, they seem to reduce the degree of competition by having low spatial overlap on the landscape scale [ 27 ], similarly to that of moose and mountain hares in Northern Sweden [ 7 ].…”

Summer Diet of Horses (Equus ferus caballus Linn.), Guanacos (Lama guanicoe Müller), and European Brown Hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas) in the High Andean Range of the Coquimbo Region, Chile

“…This will allow planning grassland management decisions in a more efficient and comprehensive way, considering not only DM intake, but also trophic interactions between herbivores. However, to validate the livestock equivalences proposed in this research, in addition to the aspects related to metabolic liveweight and dietary overlap, other variables should be considered, such as the movement area (home range), territoriality, and spatiotemporal overlaps among domestic and wild herbivores [ 70 ].…”

Carried away by a moonlight shadow: activity of wild boar in relation to nocturnal light intensity

“…Our survey was carried out in the North-Eastern part of the province of Grosseto, Central Italy ("Poggi di Prata", about 1400 ha, 43.08° N 10.99° E; 1350 ha; 475-903 m a.s.l. : Battocchio et al 2017;Viviano et al 2021), throughout 2019 and 2020. About 67% of the study site was covered by deciduous mixed oakwoods (mostly Quercus cerris L., Castanea sativa Miller, Ostrya carpinifolia Scop., Carpinus betulus L., Fraxinus ornus L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L.).…”

“…1 (cf. Mori et al 2021b;Viviano et al 2021). Three brooks and some ponds fed by rainfall are present.…”

“…Brown et al 2011;Carnevali et al 2016;Grignolio et al 2018). Moonlight avoidance has been mostly recorded in small prey species, including rodents, marsupials and lagomorphs (Sutherland and Predavec 1999;Griffin et al 2005;Mori et al 2014;Viviano et al 2021). Conversely, this behaviour has been poorly assessed in ungulates (Medici 2010;Brown et al 2011;Jasińska et al 2021; Table 1).…”