Exotic Prey Facilitate Coexistence between Pumas and Culpeo Foxes in the Andes of Central Chile

Abstract

Coexistence between species with similar ecological niches implies species must segregate along one or more niche axes to survive. Space, time, and trophic resources are regarded as the principal axes upon which species segregate. We examined segregation along these niche axes to determine mechanisms underlying coexistence between the two main predators, puma (Puma concolor) and culpeo foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) in the Andes of Central Chile. We used occupancy modeling to examine space use and overlap, Kernel Density Estimation to determine temporal activity patterns and overlap, and analysis of prey remains in feces to assess diet breadth and similarity. We found high spatial overlap and positive associations between detection of the carnivores lending little support for spatial segregation. Similarly, we found high nocturnal, temporal overlap between pumas and foxes that matched peaks in activity of prey. In contrast, we found relatively low dietary overlap indicating niche segregation likely occurs along the dietary axis. The Puma diet was dominated by introduced, exotic hares and foxes appeared to shift away from hares to rabbits, small mammals, and seeds. Given that lagomorphs are the main dietary resource for pumas in particular, management decisions regarding the control or eradication of such exotic species could negatively affected puma survival.

Daily activity pattern of pumas (Puma concolor) and their potential prey in a tropical cloud forest of Colombia

“…Our initial hypothesis of temporal overlap between puma and prey was supported only by armadillos and white-eared opossums, two nocturnal mammals frequently targeted by this predator in the region (Castillo et al, 2020). This pattern is consistent with other studies where pumas adjust their activity to decrease the energy costs of searching for food (Scognamillo et al, 2003;Harmsen et al, 2011;Foster et al, 2013;Zanón Martínez et al, 2016;Azevedo et al, 2018;Osorio et al, 2020).…”

“…We assessed the daily activity of pumas and their prey within a well-preserved Andean Forest in which other large predators such as jaguars (Panthera onca, Linnaeus 1758) are absent. Pumas showed a nocturnal and crepuscular activity that is geographically consistent with studies made in other Neotropical areas (Scognamillo et al, 2003;Monroy-Vilchis et al, 2009;Harmsen et al, 2009;Blake et al, 2012;Foster et al, 2013;Zanón Martínez et al, 2016;Cáceres-Martínez et al, 2016;Porfirio et al, 2017;Azevedo et al, 2018;Guerisoli et al, 2019;Osorio et al, 2020). Therefore, factors other than habitat features (such as human disturbance and prey availability) may more likely drivers of the puma's activity patterns (Harmsen et al, 2011;Suraci et al, 2019).…”

“…A trail that longitudinally crosses the Ucumarí Natural Regional Park is frequently visited by tourists and local farmers, mostly during daytime (Rangel, 1994). Within the park, mountain coatis, little red brocket deer, and Cauca guans have the potential to reach high densities (Kattan et al, 2014;unpublished data), which may increase their predation risk (Osorio et al, 2020). Thus, despite being common in our survey, the temporal partitioning of mountain coatis, little red brocket deer, and Cauca guans can decrease the predation pressure exerted by pumas.…”

“…In the Andes, pumas have been intensively studied at the southern extreme of their range (Walker and Novaro, 2010). Most studies have focused on trophic ecology (Rau and Jiménez, 2002;Osorio et al, 2020), resource selection (Elbroch and Wittmer, 2013;Gelin et al, 2017), habitat use (Quiroga et al, 2016), human-wildlife conflicts (Kissling et al, 2009;Ohrens et al, 2016), population density (Guarda et al, 2017) and temporal activity pattern (Lucherini et al, 2009;Osorio et al, 2020). In the Northern Andes, the natural history, ecology and behaviour of pumas remain largely unknown.…”

Cougar (<i>Puma concolor</i>) predation on Northern Mountain Caribou (<i>Rangifer tarandus caribou</i>) in central British Columbia

“…Cougar predation on feral Horses has been documented (Turner et al1992) and predation on their foals is a population-limiting factor (Greger and Romney 1999). The presence of an abundant non-native prey species has been identified as a primary factor in the decline of native species (DeCesare et al 2010; Wittmer et al 2013) and can support other Cougar populations (e.g., Osorio et al 2020). Cougars have been shown to have a negative impact on populations of secondary prey species through apparent competition (Kinley and Apps 2001;Robinson et al 2002;Serrouya et al 2015), and the predation impact of an individual Cougar can have a significant impact on small ungulate populations (Festa-Bianchet et al 2006).…”