Abstract
AbstractEncounter rates of carnivores with prey are dependent on spatial and temporal overlap, and are often highest with their preferred prey. The Critically Endangered Sumatran tigerPanthera tigris sumatraeis dependent on prey populations, but little is known about its prey preferences. We collected camera-trap data for 7 years (2010–2016) in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Sumatra, to investigate spatial and temporal overlap of tigers with potential prey species. We also developed a novel method to predict predator–prey encounter rates and potential prey preferences from camera-trap data. We documented at least 10 individual tigers, with an overall detection rate of 0.24 detections/100 trap nights. Tigers exhibited a diurnal activity pattern and had highest temporal overlap with wild boarSus scrofaand pig-tailed macaquesMacaca nemestrina, but highest spatial overlap with wild boar and sambar deerRusa unicolor. We created a spatial and temporal composite score and three additional composite scores with adjustments for the spatial overlap and preferred prey mass. Wild boars ranked highest for all composite scores, followed by sambar deer, and both are known as preferred tiger prey in other areas. Spatial and temporal overlaps are often considered as separate indices, but a composite score may facilitate better predictions of encounter rates and potential prey preferences. Our findings suggest that prey management efforts in this area should focus on wild boar and sambar deer, to ensure a robust prey base for this Critically Endangered tiger population.
Highlights
Interspecific interactions are important aspects of community ecology, affecting the functional ecology of ecosystems and dictating the ecological niches inhabited by species (Begon et al, )
When plotting the values indicating spatial and temporal overlap of tigers with potential prey species, wild boar and sambar deer fell in the upper right quadrant, suggesting they are potentially preferred prey
Tapirs were in the lower left quadrant, indicating they were probably not preferred, and the other prey species were in the upper left, indicating potential alternative prey (Fig. )
Summary
Interspecific interactions are important aspects of community ecology, affecting the functional ecology of ecosystems and dictating the ecological niches inhabited by species (Begon et al, ) Such interactions can be difficult to assess, for cryptic species such as wild carnivores (Allen et al, ; Saggiomo et al, ). Data on spatio-temporal overlap of carnivores with potential prey species may facilitate inference of prey preferences and patterns of interspecific interactions, providing insights into ecosystem functions that can inform effective conservation. Information about the Sumatran tiger’s diet is limited (e.g. O’Brien et al, ; Linkie & Ridout, ), and data on spatial and temporal activity patterns and overlap between tigers and potential prey could improve our understanding of the subspecies’ prey preferences
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