Spatio-temporal separation between lions and leopards in the Kruger National Park and the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

Maputla, Nakedi; Maruping, Nkabeng T.; Chimimba, Christian T.; Ferreira, Sam M.

doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2015.03.001

Cited by 15 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 28 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Our results are consistent with the literature on spatial partitioning responses between leopards and lions (e.g. Du Preez et al , 2015; Map utla et al , 2015; Miller et al , 2018). For example, Du Preez et al (2015) found that avoidance by leopards of lions was dependent upon habitat cover, and, consequently, the species were often found in close proximity.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…For example, Du Preez et al (2015) found that avoidance by leopards of lions was dependent upon habitat cover, and, consequently, the species were often found in close proximity. Similar trends were presented by Maputla et al (2015) and Balme et al (2019) who both found limited evidence of leopard space use being strongly influenced by top‐down effects. This is in contrast to other species, such as wild dogs, which have been shown to more prominently adapt their space use in response to top‐down pressures (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Spatial and temporal overlaps between leopards (Panthera pardus) and their competitors in the African large predator guild

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Understanding the mechanisms facilitating coexistence within species assemblages is a key consideration for conservation as intact assemblages are necessary for maintaining full ecosystem function. The African large predator guild represents one of the few remaining functionally intact large predator assemblages on Earth, and as such, represents a unique study system to understand competitive interactions. Yet, relatively little is known of the coexistence mechanisms between some of its intermediately sized members, particularly leopards (Panthera pardus). Here, we use overlapping spatio-temporal activity and GPS data on lions (Panthera leo), leopards, African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) and cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) to examine spatial interactions and temporal partitioning between leopards and other guild members in northern Botswana. We found that at the population level, male leopard space use and activity patterns were largely unaffected by intraguild competitors. Leopards showed minimal movement coherence with competitors (avoidance or attraction) when moving through areas of home ranges shared with intraguild species. Moreover, we found evidence to support the hypothesis that guild species' activity patterns are primarily driven by light availability rather than predator avoidance. Our results suggest predator avoidance has a limited impact on broad-scale leopard spatio-temporal niches, with aspects of the leopards' ecology and life history likely facilitating its ability to thrive in close proximity to competitors. Considered alongside other studies, our results suggest that landscape-level approaches to conservation may be suitable for aiding leopard conservation.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Spatial and temporal overlaps between leopards (Panthera pardus) and their competitors in the African large predator guild

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Simcharoen et al (2018) suggest that low encounter rate as a consequence of dense cover might also explain the lack of evidence of interference competition. Maputla et al (2015) also found that leopard prey selection was more important than the influence of lion movement patterns in South Africa. Despite the large number of documented cases of interference competition, modern statistical modeling emphasizes that different ecological correlates should result in different predictions so it should not be surprising that the degree of interference competition varies across the leopard's range.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Spatial and temporal analysis of leopards (Panthera pardus), their prey and tigers (Panthera tigris) in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Despite their extensive distribution globally, recent reports indicate leopards are declining, especially in Southeast Asia. To support conservation efforts we analyzed the behavioral interactions between leopards (Panthera pardus), their prey, and tigers to determine if leopards fine-tune their activity to maximize contact with four prey species (sambar; wild boar; barking deer; banteng) and avoid tigers and if prey alter their temporal activity in response to variation in their relative abundance ratio with leopards. A lower density of sambar in the northern part of our study area and a lower density of wild boar and a higher density of tigers in the southern part allowed us to examine fine-grained differences in the behavior of leopards and their prey. We used camera trap data to investigate spatial and temporal overlap. Differences in tiger relative abundance did not appear to impact the temporal activity of leopards. Leopards had similar cathemeral activity at all sites with highest activity at dawn and dusk. This behavior appears to be a compromise to provide access to diurnal wild boar and barking deer and nocturnal sambar and banteng. Sambar showed higher temporal avoidance of leopards in the north where its RAI was lowest; in contrast, wild boar had the highest temporal avoidance in the south where its density was lowest. This is the first study in Southeast Asia to quantify spatial and temporal interactions between the leopard, its primary ungulate prey, and the tiger. It provides new insights for conserving this declining subspecies.

show abstract

“…This guild provides a unique opportunity to assess resource partitioning due to the existence of the sole population of Asiatic lions in Gir. There have been studies on resource partitioning and coexistence among lions and leopards from the African ecosystem [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24], but no study has been conducted yet regarding how leopard and Asiatic lion segregate resources and coexist. Zehra et al [25] found that leopard and lion overlap very high (>90%) in their diet, which indicate the limited role of the diet in defining resource partitioning between these two predators.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatio-temporal partitioning and coexistence between leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) and Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) in Gir protected area, Gujarat, India

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Time and space are essential niche dimensions along which species tend to coexist. We assessed spatiotemporal resource partitioning between leopards and lions and hypothesized the differential use of spatiotemporal resources by leopards with respect to lions. We used a systematic camera trap survey to collect the data at 50 sites. The data were analyzed using overlap indices, and non-parametric test statistics to assess the spatiotemporal associations. Leopard and lion were crepuscular and nocturnal in their activity pattern. They did not segregate temporally and showed substantially high overlap and strong temporal association. Leopard segregates with lion spatially by overlapping less and showing no association in space use at specific camera trap sites. Leopards showed preference for dense habitats, while the lion preferred both dense and open habitats. Leopard showed moderateoverlap and positive association with key prey species, i.e., chital and sambar. Lion, however showed low site-specific overlap and negative association with its crucial prey species, i.e., sambar and wild pig. We conclude that site-specific spatial partitioning along with differential affinities for habitat is helping leopards to partition their spatio-temporal resources with lions and hence facilitate coexistence of leopards with lions in Gir forest.

show abstract

Spatio-temporal separation between lions and leopards in the Kruger National Park and the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

Cited by 15 publications

References 28 publications

Spatial and temporal overlaps between leopards (Panthera pardus) and their competitors in the African large predator guild

Spatial and temporal overlaps between leopards (Panthera pardus) and their competitors in the African large predator guild

Spatial and temporal analysis of leopards (Panthera pardus), their prey and tigers (Panthera tigris) in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand

Spatio-temporal partitioning and coexistence between leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) and Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) in Gir protected area, Gujarat, India

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About