Wild canid associations with fermentation products

Bullard, Roger W.

doi:10.1021/i300008a028

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 50 publications

(76 reference statements)

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“…After 15 months, soil nutrient increases represented up to 14.2% of the carcasses' original N content, 22.7% of carcass Na, and 18.3% of carcass P. Soil enrichment persisted for some carcass types through the entire 39 months of the study. Calculations for soil amounts of K, S, Mg, and Ca for all species were .100% of original carcass nutrient mass, indicating that these soil elements had increased, at least partially as a result of allochthonous inputs; potential sources of these inputs were loess, arthropod carcasses, and frass (Frost and Hunter 2007), or urine/feces of scavengers visiting the carcasses (Bullard 1982).…”

Section: Carcass Decomposition Effects On Soil Nutrientsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Carrion decomposition and nutrient cycling in a semiarid shrub–steppe ecosystem

Parmenter

MacMahon

2009

Ecological Monographs

198

207

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Vertebrate carrion decomposition and nutrient cycling have both direct and indirect effects on the soil properties, fauna, and flora associated with an animal's carcass. While few comprehensive quantitative studies have been undertaken, those that have show considerable variability in decomposition processes and rates, their regulating variables, and the resultant ecosystem effects. In this two-part study, decomposition rates of vertebrate species were measured in a semiarid, shrub-steppe environment (Wyoming, USA). First, decomposition loss rates of mass, energy, and nutrients were measured for rat carcasses (Rattus norvegicus) in four seasons and two microsites (surface and underground burrows). Decomposition rates varied significantly between microsites (burrow . surface in spring and summer) and among seasons (spring . summer . autumn ' winter), with mass loss amounts linearly correlated with ambient air temperatures. Energy and nutrient losses were related to phased carcass organ/tissue losses, with energy, K, Na, N, and S being lost more quickly than skeletal components (P, Mg, Ca). Overall, the nutrient loss sequence was K ¼ Na .Carcass quality (N concentration) declined through time as a function of decay stage. Second, decomposition rates of 10 vertebrate species (mule deer [Odocoileus hemionus], dog [Canis familiaris], white-tailed jackrabbit [Lepus townsendii], Uinta ground squirrel [Spermophilus armatus], least chipmunk [Tamias minimus], deer mouse [Peromyscus maniculatus], Magpie [Pica hudsonia], Sage Sparrow [Amphispiza belli], terrestrial garter snake [Thamnophis elegans], and northern leopard frog [Lithobates pipiens])were measured with vertebrate scavengers present or absent. Mass loss rates varied among species and were generally faster in the presence of scavengers. Carcass body mass, N content, or labile/recalcitrant fractions did not correlate with decomposition rate, though surface area to volume ratios of mammal carcasses were positively correlated with wet-mass decomposition rate. Nutrient measures of sub-carcass soils showed soil N, P, and Na increased during decomposition. Increased soil nutrient amounts represented up to 15.6% of the available carcass N, 28.8% of carcass P, and 28.7% of carcass Na. At a landscape scale in the shrubsteppe ecosystem, carrion decomposition constituted ,1% of the nutrient-cycling budget but contributed significantly to localized soil nutrient dynamics.

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Section: Carcass Decomposition Effects On Soil Nutrientsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Carrion decomposition and nutrient cycling in a semiarid shrub–steppe ecosystem

Parmenter

MacMahon

2009

Ecological Monographs

198

207

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“…Omnivorous scavengers such as the fox often rely on the scents of decomposition and fermentation to locate carrion and prey. Volatile fatty acids such as DMD are the common aerobic decomposition products in animal tissues and the odour of fermentation products in glandular secretions of prey (Bullard 1982). They also play a role in the fox's own communication process (Albone et al 1978).…”

Section: Evaluation Of Attractantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hexylamine (HA). While aerobic bacteria emanating from the environment cause the initial decomposition of freshly killed prey, anaerobic bacteria from deep muscle tissue provide the more odorous compounds associated with putrefaction (Bullard 1982). HA is one such compound.…”

Section: Evaluation Of Attractantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Solitary hunters such as the fox employ scent marking as an aid to food scavenging (Henry 1977). They also depend much more on olfactory communication than other canid species (Jorgenson et al 1978;Bullard 1982). The constituents of canid scent chemicals have been intensively studied with the advent of highly efficient separation techniques (Odell et al 1978), the fox fre-quently being used as a study animal (Albone and Perry 1975;Albone et al 1978;Jorgenson et al 1978;Whitten et al 1980).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of attractants and bait preferences of captive red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)

Saunders¹

2000

Wildl. Res.

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The development of bait types, additives such as synthetic flavours, and attractants for use in fox control and rabies vaccination programmes is briefly reviewed. A captive colony was used to establish bait preferences for foxes. A variety of bait types and additives were screened for this purpose. The potential of chemical attractants to enhance the discovery of baits by foxes was also examined. Gustatory additives, such as beef flavour and sugar, enhanced bait acceptance, and olfactory attractants such as synthetic fermented egg showed promise. Trials using captive animals allow for observations impossible under field conditions. However, field trials are also needed to determine whether behavioural responses of free-ranging animals are similar to those observed in captive individuals.

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“…Some coyotes scent-marked at control sites, suggesting a response to our activity in the pen. Investigations accompanied by rub-rolling and scent-marking also may be another method for coyotes to reacquaint themselves with their territory following the temporary intrusion of the novel object or observer (Kleiman 1966, Bullard 1982. Alternatively, scentmarking following removal of treatments or observer activity may serve to reinforce territorial boundaries against future intrusions (Bowen andMcTaggart-Cowan 1980, Bekoff andWells 1986).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coyote Investigative Behavior Following Removal of Novel Stimuli

2007

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Because coyotes (Canis latrans) show an aversion to novel objects, we examined the effects of the presence and removal of repellent and attractive stimuli on coyote behavior. We found a greater proportion of captive coyotes investigated 10‐cm‐tall cones (0.95) compared to 90‐cm‐tall cones (0.68) and control sites (0.81), and spent longer periods (P < 0.001 in all instances) investigating small cones (x̄ = 465 sec), compared to large cones (x̄ = 212 sec) and control sites (x̄ = 45 sec). However, investigation times at sites following removal of large cones were 1.6 and 2.3 times greater than investigation times at sites following removal of small cones and the control, respectively. Results from pen studies were supported by a field study. Wild coyotes in south Texas visited 43% of small cones but did not visit large cones. Following removal of cones, visits to small cone stations decreased to 29%, whereas coyotes visited 43% of large cone stations. Thus, we observed a direct relationship between aversion toward large novel objects and subsequent attraction to sites following their removal among both captive and wild coyotes. Based upon our results, we suggest that placing large novel objects over traps that are set and removing such objects after a few days, with the subsequent addition of an olfactory attractant, may increase exploratory behavior and capture of coyotes.

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Wild canid associations with fermentation products

Cited by 14 publications

References 50 publications

Carrion decomposition and nutrient cycling in a semiarid shrub–steppe ecosystem

Carrion decomposition and nutrient cycling in a semiarid shrub–steppe ecosystem

Evaluation of attractants and bait preferences of captive red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)

Coyote Investigative Behavior Following Removal of Novel Stimuli

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