Temporal and spatial interactions between an obligate predator, the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), and a facultative scavenger, the wolverine (Gulo gulo)

Abstract

Interspecific interactions between sympatric carnivores can be important for the behaviour and demography of involved species. We studied spatial and temporal interactions between an obligate predator, the Eurasian lynx ( Lynx lynx (L., 1758)), and a facultative scavenger, the wolverine ( Gulo gulo (L., 1758)). Wolverines are known to utilize lynx-killed reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus tarandus (L., 1758)) and may benefit from being sympatric with lynx if interference competition is low. We used individual location data from 9 lynx and 17 wolverines to analyse interaction between inter- and intra-specific dyads (n = 195). We found no spatial segregation between lynx and wolverines and we observed no attraction or avoidance between individuals of the two species, independent of proportion of home-range overlap. This opposed our prediction that wolverines will show direct or delayed attraction to lynx. Wolverines may still benefit by scavenging lynx-killed reindeer while avoiding direct encounters with the lynx. Within species, we found attraction between males and females, increasing with proportion of overlap for lynx. Attraction was also found between consexual lynx, while consexual wolverines showed little home-range overlap (7%–9%) and neutral temporal interaction, indicating territoriality. Individual space use may be more influenced by conspecific interactions than by other species.