Assessing Effects of Predation Risk on Foraging Behavior of Mule Deer

Altendorf, Kelly B.; Laundré, John W.; González, Carlos A. López; Brown, Joel S.

doi:10.1644/1545-1542(2001)082<0430:aeopro>2.0.co;2

Cited by 300 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Such behavioral decisions made under the risk of predation are the process by which the "landscape of fear" is shaped . For example, Altendorf, Laundré. Gonzalez, and Brown (2001) (Creel, Winnie, Maxwell, Hamlin, & Creel, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chronology of reproductive investment determines predation risk aversion in a felid‐ungulate system

Crawford

Cherry

Kelly

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Fear of predators can behaviorally mediate prey population dynamics, particularly when predation risk influences reproductive investment. However, the costs of reproductive investment may mitigate predation risk aversion relative to periods when the link between reproductive output and prey behavior is weaker. We posit that intensity of reproductive investment in ungulates may predict their response to predation risk such that the sexes increase risk exposure during biological seasons that are pivotal to reproductive success, such as the fawn‐rearing and breeding seasons for females and males, respectively. We examined the activity patterns of sympatric white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), a sexually segregated polygynous ungulate, and Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) in the context of the “risky times – risky places hypothesis” and the reproductive strategy hypothesis. We compared detection rates and diel activity overlap of both species using motion‐triggered camera traps positioned on (n = 120) and off (n = 60) anthropogenic trails across five reproductive seasons. Florida panthers were nocturnal and primarily observed on‐trail providing an experimental framework with risky times and risky places. Contrary to studies in other taxa inversely correlating prey reproductive investment to predation risk, the sexes of deer were more risk prone during sex‐specific seasons associated with intense reproductive investment. Our results suggest spatiotemporally variable predation risk influences sex‐specific behavioral decision‐making in deer such that reproductive success is maximized.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chronology of reproductive investment determines predation risk aversion in a felid‐ungulate system

Crawford

Cherry

Kelly

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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“…; Altendorf et al. ; Whittingham & Evans ; Embar et al. ), presumably because sightlines increase the effectiveness of vigilance and consequently, the efficiency of foraging.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

When to Run and When to Hide: The Influence of Concealment, Visibility, and Proximity to Refugia on Perceptions of Risk

et al. 2012

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An animal's ability to avoid predation likely depends on its ability to detect approaching predators, conceal itself, and seek refuge or protection from predators. Habitat, especially vegetation structure, can influence all of these factors concurrently. Binary categorical assessments of habitat as ‘open’ or ‘closed’, however, confound at least two functions of habitat structure that could influence the perceived risk of predation: concealment, which functions to hide an individual, and visibility, which enhances detection of a potential predator. Both can influence predation risk independently and simultaneously. In this study, we decoupled these functional properties of vegetation and studied the effects of concealment, visibility, and proximity to a refuge on the distance at which pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) fled from an approaching threat (flight initiation distance; FID). Concealment by vegetation decreased perceptions of risk; however, pygmy rabbits exhibited elevated risk at high levels of visibility, regardless of the amount of concealment. Proximity to burrow entrances also influenced perceptions of risk, such that risk was significantly lower when rabbits were on or near burrow systems. Disentangling the functional properties of habitat can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence perceived risk and escape behaviors of prey and provide insight into how habitat structure mechanistically relates to predation risk.

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“…Feeding stations were positioned similarly to those used by Altendorf et al (2001) with each site consisting of a 2 × 3 grid with six food patches spaced 60 m apart. Patches were placed in woodlands, with three patches on either side of an unpaved forest road to maximise detection likelihood and keep road related risk consistent.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fear, foraging and olfaction: how mesopredators avoid costly interactions with apex predators

et al. 2018

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Where direct killing is rare and niche overlap low, sympatric carnivores may appear to coexist without conflict. Interference interactions, harassment and injury from larger carnivores may still pose a risk to smaller mesopredators. Foraging theory suggests that animals should adjust their behaviour accordingly to optimise foraging efficiency and overall fitness, trading off harvest rate with costs to fitness. The foraging behaviour of red foxes, Vulpes vulpes, was studied with automated cameras and a repeated measures giving-up density (GUD) experiment where olfactory risk cues were manipulated. In Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia, red foxes increased GUDs by 34% and quitting harvest rates by 29% in response to wolf urine. In addition to leaving more food behind, foxes also responded to wolf urine by spending less time visiting food patches each day and altering their behaviour in order to compensate for the increased risk when foraging from patches. Thus, red foxes utilised olfaction to assess risk and experienced foraging costs due to the presence of a cue from gray wolves, Canis lupus. This study identifies behavioural mechanisms which may enable competing predators to coexist, and highlights the potential for additional ecosystem service pathways arising from the behaviour of large carnivores. Given the vulnerability of large carnivores to anthropogenic disturbance, a growing human population and intensifying resource consumption, it becomes increasingly important to understand ecological processes so that land can be managed appropriately.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s00442-018-4133-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Assessing Effects of Predation Risk on Foraging Behavior of Mule Deer

Cited by 300 publications

References 33 publications

Chronology of reproductive investment determines predation risk aversion in a felid‐ungulate system

Chronology of reproductive investment determines predation risk aversion in a felid‐ungulate system

When to Run and When to Hide: The Influence of Concealment, Visibility, and Proximity to Refugia on Perceptions of Risk

Fear, foraging and olfaction: how mesopredators avoid costly interactions with apex predators

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