Interspecific prey neighborhoods shape risk of predation in a savanna ecosystem

Abstract

In central Kenya, Ng'weno et al. used GPS relocations to find lion-killed ungulates and related kills to the surrounding density of prey, vegetation cover, and lion activity. Zebra made up the bulk of lion diets and were killed more frequently in areas with low visibility. Buffalo were killed more frequently when they did not associate with zebra, while hartebeest were killed more frequently in association with zebra. Such neighborhood effects have long been appreciated in studies on plant–herbivore interactions. Ng’weno et al. show that prey neighborhoods also are likely to influence the outcomes of predator-prey dynamics in ecosystems dominated by large mammals. Photo credit: Christian Bopp. Photo credit: Douglas Kamaru. Photo credit: Douglas Kamaru. These photographs illustrate the article “Interspecific prey neighborhoods shape risk of predation in a savanna ecosystem” by Caroline C. Ng'weno, Adam T. Ford, Alfred K. Kibungei, and Jacob R. Goheen published in Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2698