Numerical Responses of Coyotes and Lynx to the Snowshoe Hare Cycle

O’Donoghue, Mark; Boutin, Stan; Krebs, Charles J.; Hofer, Elizabeth J.

doi:10.2307/3546526

Cited by 232 publications

(206 citation statements)

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“…A5.2), also suggested a pattern whereby only the most abundant species displayed significant cyclical dynamics, apparently driven by the tracking of hare fluctuations. These results are in agreement with previous studies suggesting that coyotes can be strongly dependent on snowshoe hares, at least during cyclic highs (Todd et al 1981, O'Donoghue et al 1997, 1998, and further suggest that coyotes may limit the numerical tracking of hare by lynx through exploitation or interference competition. We emphasize that statistical support for this hypothesis is limited, and that further tests are necessary to robustly test its predictions.…”

Section: -Province-level Studysupporting

confidence: 93%

“…The coyote is a more generalized feeder compared to lynx (e.g., Litvaitis andHarrison 1989, O'Donoghue et al 1998), meaning that it may compete with lynx over the latter species' preferred prey (snowshoe hare, Lepus americanus Erxleben). For example, O'Donoghue et al (1997) found that the numerical response of coyote and lynx to a snowshoe hare cycle in southwest Yukon were similar, and coyotes and lynx are the two most important mammalian predators of snowshoe hares throughout much of the boreal forest (O'Donoghue et al 1998). Furthermore, coyotes do kill lynx, and there is speculation that coyotes could influence lynx more so than does the availability of snowshoe hares (Buskirk et al 2000, Bayne et al 2008.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The influence of coyote on Canada lynx populations assessed at two different spatial scales

et al. 2015

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Previous studies have suggested that the attenuation of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) cyclic dynamics with decreasing latitude may be the consequence of a reduced specialization on the lynx's primary prey, snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). However, intraguild competitive interactions remain largely unexplored in situations where the temporal dynamics of food resources is pronounced, and lynx populations in the south of their distribution may be negatively affected by interspecific competition with other carnivores. In this paper, we used spectral analysis of fur harvest data collected at the state (US) and province (Canada) level to explore the spatial gradient of cyclic dynamics in lynx. Although some patterns were consistent with the 'diet specialization' hypothesis, we found that temporal variance of cycling propensity peaked at mid-latitudes, where transient, non-cyclic periods, coexisted with regular 10-year cycles. In these mid-latitude zones, non-cyclic periods did not coincide with loss of snowshoe hare cycling as demonstrated by historical records, and were not more frequent in recent decades as could be expected under a 'climatic forcing' scenario. Instead, we show that non-cyclic periods tended to coincide with periods of high coyote (Canis latrans) abundance and periods when coyotes apparently tracked snowshoe hare abundance as suggested by significant 10-year cycles lagging one or two years behind hare peaks. We used landscape-scale (trapline) fur harvest returns from five provinces in Canada to further probe the importance of interspecific competition in Canada lynx population dynamics. Accounting for coyote distribution and abundance did not bring additional explanatory and predictive power to models based solely on environmental and autecological predictors, suggesting that competition with coyote is not a force driving population abundance and cyclicity among lynx. We discuss the possible factors behind the apparent lack of consistency across spatial scales and recommend that further studies examine species interactions at a smaller (local) scale.Abbreviations: GLM-Generalized Linear Model, IAD-N-inflation-adjusted + detrended harvest number, IA-N-inflation-adjusted harvest number, HPD-Highest Posterior Density, RLRT-Restricted Loglikelihood Ratio Test.

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Section: -Province-level Studysupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of coyote on Canada lynx populations assessed at two different spatial scales

et al. 2015

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“…To produce limit cycles remotely comparable to the Kluane cycles, the maximum generalist predation rate for the May model needs to be close to the lower bound of the Kluane estimate (0.1 prey/ha/year), and the R-M model requires a rate below the mid-range value (1.0 prey/ha/year). One possible explanation is that this estimate includes removals from predators who function as specialists in Canada and actually cycle along with snowshoe hares (O'Donoghue et al 1997, Rohner et al 2001, Roth et al 2007. In this case, the upper bound for the maximum generalist predation rate is likely lower.…”

Section: Scenario 2: Generalist Predationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, certain hare predators have been shown to function closer to specialists in the Yukon, cycling along with the hare and contributing to its cyclic dynamics (O'Donoghue et al 1997, Rohner et al 2001. Therefore, a model incorporating multiple specialist preda-tors similar to that of Tyson et al (2010) may provide a better baseline for the northern dynamics.…”

Section: Future Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Theoretical impacts of habitat loss and generalist predation on predator–prey cycles

Vitense

Wirsing

Tyson

et al. 2016

Ecological Modelling

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I used a reaction-diffusion-advection framework to investigate the relative and combined damping impacts of generalist predation and habitat loss with reaction terms taken from the May and Rosenzweig-MacArthur models. The models were parameterized using data from snowshoe hare and Canada lynx field studies to generate similar cyclic dynamics in the center of a single patch in the absence of generalist predation. I found that generalist predation has strong stabilizing effects for both models and may represent a threat to the persistence of specialized predators. The magnitude of cycle damping due to habitat loss depends on movement rates and model choice, but ultimately results in the loss of cycles. Differences in model carrying capacity may explain differences in model sensitivity to habitat loss, and cycle amplitude may or may not decrease monotonically with habitat loss, depending on model choice. Elevated generalist predation rates at patch edges and in matrix habitat hasten cycle attenuation in situations that lead to increased prey exposure to generalists, including small patch size, higher movement rates into the matrix, and increased prey density at patch edges. Habitat disturbances may therefore have myriad consequences for cyclic systems depending in part on the nature of specialist predator-prey interactions and the extent to which the disturbances increase generalist access to prey. Field data that clarifies the relationships between habitat loss and fragmentation, generalist density and behavior, and cyclic activity would be invaluable in informing future modeling efforts.

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“…Lynx often undertake large dispersal movements, primarily in response to region-wide cyclic reductions in Snowshoe Hare populations (see Movements, below). These pulses of dispersal, with some individuals moving >500 km (Ward and Krebs 1985;Slough and Mowat 1996;O'Donoghue et al 1997;Poole 1997), result in periodic shifts of distribution into the periphery of areas where they do not normally occur (Banfield 1974;Mech 1973Mech , 1977. These populations may persist for only a few years or, given the right circumstances, may establish breeding populations.…”

Section: Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of the Canada Lynx, <em>Lynx canadensis</em>, in Canada

Poole¹

2003

Can Field Nat

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The Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) is the most common and widespread member of the cat family in Canada. Lynx are distributed throughout forested regions of Canada and Alaska and into portions of the northern contiguous United States, closely paralleling the range of its primary prey, the Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus). They are most common in the boreal, sub-boreal and western montane forests, preferring older regenerating forests (>20 years) and generally avoiding younger stands, and occupy roughly 95% of their former range in Canada. Lynx population size fluctuates 3–17 fold over an 8–11 year cycle, tracking the abundance of Snowshoe Hares with a 1–2 year lag. During increasing and high hare abundance, lynx have high reproductive output and high kit and adult survival. The decline phase is characterized by reproductive failure, increased natural mortality, and high rates of dispersal. Dispersal distances of over 1000 km have been recorded. During the cyclic low, kit recruitment essentially fails for 2–3 years, and is followed by several years of modest reproductive output. Reproductive parameters in southern lynx populations appear similar to those found during the cyclic low and early increase phase in more northern populations. Trapping is a significant source of mortality in some areas. Field studies have documented from 2–45 lynx/100 km2 at various times in the cycle and in various habitats. Although the amplitude of the cyclic fluctuations in lynx numbers may have decreased somewhat in recent decades, there is no evidence to suggest a significant decline in numbers in Canada. Lynx are managed as a furbearer in Canada, with harvest regulated primarily by seasons, quotas, and closures. The harvest over the past decade has declined concurrent with declining pelt prices, and is currently a fraction of historic levels. Lynx are fully protected in less than 2–3% of their range in Canada. There is no evidence to suggest that overall lynx numbers or distribution across Canada have declined significantly over the past two decades, although loss of habitat through increased urbanization and development and forestry is likely affecting lynx populations along the southern fringe of its range. Its high potential to increase in numbers and propensity to disperse long distances suggest that the species is relatively resilient to localized perturbations and reductions, given time and removal of the factors that cause the initial decrease. Lowered lynx harvests, coupled with a greater awareness of the need for proactive lynx management, suggests that the overall future of lynx in Canada is secure.

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Numerical Responses of Coyotes and Lynx to the Snowshoe Hare Cycle

Cited by 232 publications

References 0 publications

The influence of coyote on Canada lynx populations assessed at two different spatial scales

The influence of coyote on Canada lynx populations assessed at two different spatial scales

Theoretical impacts of habitat loss and generalist predation on predator–prey cycles

A Review of the Canada Lynx, <em>Lynx canadensis</em>, in Canada

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