Spatial segregation between Iberian lynx and other carnivores

G Garrote,R Pérez De Ayala

doi:10.32800/abc.2019.42.0347

Abstract

Rabbits represent the bulk of its diet as for many other Iberian predators. This study addresses how the presence of the Iberian lynx affects the spatial distribution of the mesocarnivore community at landscape scale in the Sierra de Andújar. We studied mesocarnivore presence by sampling at 230 camera trapping stations, located in areas with and without lynx. We used a x2–test to compare the proportion of stations in which each species of carnivore were recorded in the zones with and without lynx. The proportion of camera trapping stations in which red fox (Vulpes vulpes), Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon), beech marten (Martes foina), wildcat (Felis sylvestris) and common genet (Genetta genetta) were detected was significantly lower in the area where lynx were present than in the area where it was absent. No significant differences between the two types of areas were found for badgers (Meles meles). Our results highlight the role of the lynx as apex predators and the benefits that the recovery of Iberian lynx populations would entail in terms of trophic interactions and restored disrupted ecosystems processes.Key words: Intraguild competition, Carnivores, Phototrapping, Apex preda

Highlights

Direct interactions between predators and other species can have indirect consequences further down the food web via trophic cascades (Ripple et al, 2016)
Large carnivores play a key role in terrestrial ecosystems when they exert an influence on herbivores and so indirectly prevent overgrazing (McShea, 2005)
This study addresses how the presence of the Iberian lynx affects the spatial distribution of the mesocarnivore community at a landscape scale in the Sierra de Andújar

Summary

Introduction

Direct interactions between predators and other species can have indirect consequences further down the food web via trophic cascades (Ripple et al, 2016). Large carnivores play a key role in terrestrial ecosystems when they exert an influence on herbivores and so indirectly prevent overgrazing (McShea, 2005) They can influence carnivore communities via intraguild interactions (Ritchie and Johnson, 2009) and indirectly prevent excessive predation on prey species by mesocarnivores (Elmhagen et al, 2010). This top–down cascade can influence ecosystem structures and biodiversity at both local and larger scales (Terborgh, 2001; Elmhagen et al, 2010). The functional roles of top predators cannot be fully appreciated in isolation from bottom–up processes because the effects of nutrients, productivity (Pace et al, 1999) and anthropogenic habitat may bring about change (Litvaitis and Villafuerte, 1996; Estes, 1998; Elmhagen and Rushton, 2007)

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