Abstract
Although less studied than interspecific interactions, interactions among members of the same species can influence space use and temporal activity. Using techniques commonly applied to the analysis of interspecific interactions—multispecies occupancy modeling and the analysis of temporal activity patterns—we studied intraspecific interactions within a high‐density population of Persian leopards (Panthera pardus saxicolor) in Tandoureh National Park, northeastern Iran. Using camera‐trap data, we investigated spatiotemporal interactions between male leopards, lone female leopards, and families (cubs/females with cubs). While we hypothesized that male and female leopards would display different temporal activity patterns, we did not predict spatial avoidance between these groups. We also predicted that leopard families would exhibit spatiotemporal avoidance from male leopards due to the risk of infanticide. Contrary to our expectations, we did not find any evidence for spatial or temporal avoidance between leopard families and adult male leopards. Male and lone female leopards exhibited positive pairwise co‐occurrence, consistent with reports of high overlap between male and female leopard home ranges. While a high level of overlap in temporal activity patterns was found between males/lone females and males/families, there was evidence for variation in the proportion of time each leopard group was active in particular periods of the diel cycle. Male leopards showed cathemeral activity, while lone females and families were more active during daylight hours. The application of these techniques to interactions within a species has improved understanding of the ecology and behavior of this endangered solitary carnivore.
Highlights
Spatial and temporal partitioning are key mechanisms of coexistence among ecologically similar co-occurring species (Di Bitetti et al, 2010; Santos et al, 2019; Schoener, 1974)
We predicted that leopard families differ in their spatiotemporal activity compared to lone females, exhibiting both spatial and temporal avoidance from male leopards due to the presumed high risk of infanticide (Balme & Hunter, 2013)
This study provides a novel application of the Rota et al (2016) multispecies occupancy model to an analysis of spatial co-occurrence at an intraspecific level
Summary
Spatial and temporal partitioning are key mechanisms of coexistence among ecologically similar co-occurring species (Di Bitetti et al, 2010; Santos et al, 2019; Schoener, 1974) These mechanisms are present at an intraspecific level: Differences in feeding preferences, competition over shared resources, and avoidance of antagonistic interactions can give rise to variation in spatiotemporal activity patterns within a species (Azevedo et al, 2018; Havmøller et al, 2020). We predicted that leopard families differ in their spatiotemporal activity compared to lone females, exhibiting both spatial and temporal avoidance from male leopards due to the presumed high risk of infanticide (Balme & Hunter, 2013). We did not expect such effects on male and lone female occupancy as both these groups are known to occur throughout the study area
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