Microhabitat use and behavior of voles under weasel and raptor predation risk: predator facilitation?

Korpimäki, Erkki; Koivunen, Vesa; Hakkarainen, Hani

doi:10.1093/beheco/7.1.30

Cited by 94 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The difference among habitat types in terms of small mammal abundance is consistent with the selection of protective vegetation cover for reducing predation risk imposed by predators (KORPIMÄKI et al 1996;PUSENIUS & OSTFELD 2002). In the study area, small mammals are present in the diet of several species (e.g., pine marten: ROSELLINI et al 2008;wildcat: PIÑEIRO & BARJA 2011).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

Evaluating the function of wildcat faecal marks in relation to the defence of favourable hunting areas

Piñeiro

Barja

2014

Ethology Ecology & Evolution

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Esta es la versión de autor del artículo publicado en: This is an author produced version of a paper published in: To date, there have been no studies of carnivores that have been specifically designed to examine the function of scent marks in trophic resource defence, although several chemical communication studies have discussed other functions of these marks. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that faecal marks deposited by wildcats (Felis silvestris) serve to defend their primary trophic resource, small mammals. Field data were collected over a 2-year period in a protected area in northwestern Spain. To determine the small mammal abundance in different habitat types, a seasonal live trapping campaign was undertaken in deciduous forests, mature pine forests, and scrublands. In each habitat, we trapped in three widely separated UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) cells. At the same time that the trapping was being performed, transects were conducted on foot along forest roads in each trapping cell and in one adjacent cell to detect fresh wildcat scats that did or did not have a scent-marking function. A scat was considered to have a pressumed marking function when it is located on a conspicuous substrate, above ground level, at a crossroad or in a latrine. The number of faecal marks and the small mammal abundance varied by habitat type but not by seasons. The results of the ANCOVA analysis indicated that small mammal abundance and the habitat type were the factors that explained the largest degrees of variation in the faecal marking index (number of faecal marks in each cell/number of kilometres surveyed in each cell). This result suggests that wildcats defended favourable hunting areas. They mark most often where their main prey lives and so where they spend most time hunting (in areas where their main prey is more abundant). This practice would allow wildcats to protect their main trophic resource and would reduce intraspecific trophic competition.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

Evaluating the function of wildcat faecal marks in relation to the defence of favourable hunting areas

Piñeiro

Barja

2014

Ethology Ecology & Evolution

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“…The study of predator facilitation and small rodents provides support for this. Field voles, for example, adjust their microhabitat use and activity level according to the foraging strategy of the predators present (Korpimäki et al 1996). Specifically, the voles shift their activity to open microhabitats in the presence of scent-hunting least weasels, but utilise densely vegetated microhabitats and reduce their activity in the presence of kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), or when both kestrels and weasels are present (Korpimäki et al 1996).…”

Section: Box 4 Parallels Between Predation Risk and Infection Riskmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dangerous liaisons: the predation risks of receiving social signals

2012

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Individuals are at risk when communicating because conspicuous signals attract both conspecifics and eavesdropping predators. This predation cost of communicating has typically been attributed to signalling individuals because of their conspicuous role, and is a core concept within sexual selection and communication ecology. But, if predators are attracted to signals, then receivers, both intended or otherwise, may also find themselves at risk of predation. Here, we review the theoretical basis and empirical evidence that receiving also carries a risk of predation. We distinguish between the risks of receiving and responding to signals, and we argue that receivers of signals that are long lived, are highly predictable in time or place and/or cannot be received quickly are likely to be at greater risk of predation compared to receivers of signals without these properties. We review recent empirical evidence from a variety of taxa that supports the hypothesis that receivers (including heterospecific prey) are aware of these risks and that they modify their behaviour to balance the risks against the benefits of receiving under predation threat. We also discuss the wider implications of risky receiving for receiving and signalling behaviour in prey, as well as for the prey's predators.

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“…On Maria Island, where avian predators predominate, possums show a preference not for open ground cover but for higher tree canopy cover, which is likely to offer the best protection from avian predators. Prey species can respond rapidly to changes in predation risk from different types of predators that provide different risk landscapes, whereby behavioural decisions that reduce risk from one predator increase risk from another [45,46]. Gerbils (Gerbillus sp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relaxation of risk-sensitive behaviour of prey following disease-induced decline of an apex predator, the Tasmanian devil

et al. 2015

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Apex predators structure ecosystems through lethal and non-lethal interactions with prey, and their global decline is causing loss of ecological function. Behavioural changes of prey are some of the most rapid responses to predator decline and may act as an early indicator of cascading effects. The Tasmanian devil ( Sarcophilus harrisii ), an apex predator, is undergoing progressive and extensive population decline, of more than 90% in long-diseased areas, caused by a novel disease. Time since local disease outbreak correlates with devil population declines and thus predation risk. We used hair traps and giving-up densities (GUDs) in food patches to test whether a major prey species of devils, the arboreal common brushtail possum ( Trichosurus vulpecula ), is responsive to the changing risk of predation when they forage on the ground. Possums spend more time on the ground, discover food patches faster and forage more to a lower GUD with increasing years since disease outbreak and greater devil population decline. Loss of top–down effects of devils with respect to predation risk was evident at 90% devil population decline, with possum behaviour indistinguishable from a devil-free island. Alternative predators may help to maintain risk-sensitive anti-predator behaviours in possums while devil populations remain low.

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Microhabitat use and behavior of voles under weasel and raptor predation risk: predator facilitation?

Cited by 94 publications

References 27 publications

Evaluating the function of wildcat faecal marks in relation to the defence of favourable hunting areas

Evaluating the function of wildcat faecal marks in relation to the defence of favourable hunting areas

Dangerous liaisons: the predation risks of receiving social signals

Relaxation of risk-sensitive behaviour of prey following disease-induced decline of an apex predator, the Tasmanian devil

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