Seasonal specialization in diet of the Humboldt marten (Martes caurina humboldtensis) in California and the importance of prey size

Slauson, Keith M.; Zielinski, William J.

doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyx118

Cited by 22 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…The dominant consumption of voles was consistent with North American marten diet studies [33,45,46] but we detected substantially lower frequency of occurrence of squirrel species [45,47] and shrews [48]. Humboldt marten diet in northern California has been shown to heavily rely on chipmunks [49] which contrasts our study, where chipmunks were only detected in 2% of the marten scats despite being highly abundant in the coastal forests (Fig 2). Frequency of birds in the diet (53.3%) was much higher than the 10–20% typically described in North American martens’ diet [33].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Biotic factors influencing the unexpected distribution of a Humboldt marten (Martes caurina humboldtensis) population in a young coastal forest

et al. 2019

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Pacific martens ( Martes caurina ) are often associated with mature forests with complex structure for denning, resting, and efficient hunting. Nonetheless, a small isolated population of the Humboldt subspecies of Pacific martens ( Martes caurina humboldtensis ) occupies a narrow strip of young, coastal forest (< 70 years old) but not inland mature forest in the central Oregon Coast Range. We examined factors contributing to this unexpected distribution of martens by 1) analyzing marten diets using DNA metabarcoding to assess 90 scats, 2) using camera traps to assess differences in the relative abundances of prey, competitors, and predators across a coastal to inland gradient of vegetation types, and 3) quantifying differences in extent of fruit-producing shrubs and vegetation structure within vegetation types. Diets of martens were diverse (12, 10, and 3 species of birds, mammals, and amphibians respectively), and most fall and winter scats contained fruit. Voles, mice, and varied thrushes ( Ixoreus naevius ) were dominant prey items. Voles, mice, and most birds, but not varied thrushes, were more commonly observed in the coastal shrub-dominated forest than in inland forest. The coastal shrub-dominated forest had the highest diversity of vertebrates and potential prey overall. Bobcats ( Lynx rufus ), a key potential predator, were more commonly detected in inland forest. Of potential competitors, western spotted skunks ( Spilogale gracilis ) were more commonly detected in inland forest, with gray foxes ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus ) and raccoons ( Procyon lotor ) detected almost exclusively in coastal forests. Vegetation in coastal forests appears to provide, at least seasonally, more prey and fruit, and more overhead shrub cover compared with inland forest. Remaining plausible hypotheses for the restricted distribution of marten to coastal forests include increased prey, fruit, and overhead cover, and reduced predation risk from bobcats.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Biotic factors influencing the unexpected distribution of a Humboldt marten (Martes caurina humboldtensis) population in a young coastal forest

et al. 2019

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“…We used a Bayesian occupancy model and data from sites to examine relationships between covariates of interest and estimate occupancy and detection probability (MacKenzie et al ; Table ). We only used marten detection–nondetection data at baited camera stations within a site to model, but included data from both baited and trail stations for our predator presence covariate because it was hypothesized that presence of predators could negatively affect marten occurrence (Slauson et al ). Martens are highly mobile and regularly move up to 6 km/day (Moriarty et al ), so we used a 1‐day visit replicate and assumed that a marten could encounter a survey device in this period.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seeking efficiency with carnivore survey methods: A case study with elusive martens

et al. 2018

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Obtaining reliable information on species distributions is often the first step in conservation. Distribution information can be used to focus survey efforts to estimate population size and examine drivers of occupancy or other population parameters. We compared detection rates and survey costs for 2 techniques (remote cameras and scent detection teams) used to evaluate distribution of a rare carnivore, Humboldt subspecies of Pacific marten (Martes caurina humboldtensis). We used remote cameras at randomly placed sites in coastal Oregon, USA, to compare camera set type (baited, unbaited), bait height (<0.5 m, 1.37 m), and bait types (chicken and lure, cat food) for a 21‐day survey period during winter (27 Jan–12 Apr) and summer (04 Jul–14 Oct) 2015. When a marten was detected, we completed an additional survey within 25 m. Scent detection teams (human handler and dog) performed area‐constrained searches for scat deposited. We used a Bayesian occupancy model to compare detection probabilities for baited camera treatments. We detected martens at 26 sites, and offset stations detected martens at 15 of 24 sites (62.5%). Survey‐level detection probability for martens (the probability of detecting ≥1 marten during a survey) was high for the camera survey during summer and winter (estimates ranged from 60% to 99% and 33% to 82%, respectively), and similar for all treatments. We surveyed 50 sites with both remote cameras and scent detection teams 25 April–25 May 2015. Of 33 sites with ≥1 marten detection, 36.4% of units had a marten detected only by scent detection teams, 30.3% only by remote camera, and 33.3% by both techniques. When the objective was marten detection, survey costs were less for scent detection teams. For identifying individual martens and their sex, cameras paired with hair snares were more cost‐efficient. Scent detection teams provided a complementary method to baited remote cameras for assessing distribution. Using multiple techniques provided an opportunity to quantify limitations of survey methods. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

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“…Understanding the factors influencing the diet of invasive predators is integral for conserving sensitive prey species. Predation patterns can be influenced by prey abundance (Floeter & Temming, ; Jaworski et al ., ), accessibility (Kelly, ; Grant et al ., ), defense mechanisms (Foltan, ; Murphy et al ., ; Clements, Tambling & Kerley, ; Tallian et al ., ), season (Zielinski et al ., ; Bonnaud et al ., ; Thinley et al ., ; Slauson & Zielinski, ), and weather (Konecny, ; Szép, Bocz & Purger, ). By assessing how these factors influence predation, managers can predict what species may be most sensitive to invasive predators, identify times where species of concern are particularly disposed to predation, and develop management strategies to mitigate threats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Precipitation and prey abundance influence food habits of an invasive carnivore

Parsons¹,

Bridges²,

Biteman³

et al. 2019

Animal Conservation

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Invasive predators threaten biodiversity worldwide, and generalist invasive predators are often more successful due to their broad diets. Predation patterns can be influenced by prey abundance, prey preference, and climate, and understanding these relationships is integral to conserving native prey species. We examined stomach contents of 2882 feral cats Felis catus from San Clemente Island, California, to assess how their diets varied annually and seasonally, and how precipitation and prey abundance influenced predation patterns. Rodents were found in 95% (n = 2589) of stomachs containing prey. The endemic San Clemente deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatus clementis was the most prevalent prey species and was found in 85% (n = 2589) of stomachs containing prey. Consumption of rodents, lizards, and birds varied annually. In years following dry winters, consumption of rodents decreased and consumption of lizards increased. This had a particularly strong effect on endemic night lizards Xantusia riversiana reticulata with 20.4% (n = 1952) of non-empty cat stomachs containing night lizards following normal years, and 43.7% (n = 602) following dry years. Consumption of rodents peaked in fall, while consumption of lizards and birds peaked in spring. Using rodenticide removed from bait stations as an index of rodent abundance, we found a positive correlation between bait removal and the number of rodents consumed by cats, and a negative correlation between bait removal and the number of lizards consumed by cats. These results suggest that feral cats use rodents as primary prey and lizards as secondary prey, particularly during droughts when rodent abundance is low. Understanding how weather patterns affect invasive species predation patterns will help conservation biologists predict and manage for the effects of invasive species as climate change continues. Furthermore, identifying and quantifying diet pattern seasonality can help managers identify times when sensitive species are vulnerable and plan interventions accordingly.Animal Conservation 23 (2020) 60-71 ª

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Seasonal specialization in diet of the Humboldt marten (Martes caurina humboldtensis) in California and the importance of prey size

Cited by 22 publications

References 38 publications

Biotic factors influencing the unexpected distribution of a Humboldt marten (Martes caurina humboldtensis) population in a young coastal forest

Biotic factors influencing the unexpected distribution of a Humboldt marten (Martes caurina humboldtensis) population in a young coastal forest

Seeking efficiency with carnivore survey methods: A case study with elusive martens

Precipitation and prey abundance influence food habits of an invasive carnivore

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