Variations in the trophic niches of the golden jackal Canis aureus across the Eurasian continent associated with biogeographic and anthropogenic factors

Tsunoda, Hiroshi; Saito, Masaichi

doi:10.25225/jvb.20056

Cited by 9 publications

(14 citation statements)

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“…Alternatively, the observed spatial and habitat partitioning may also be related to the partial diet overlap; in other words, the two species may use different areas for foraging. The golden jackal and the red fox are both generalist carnivores consuming a wide range of prey species across the Eurasian continent, from small mammals to wild ungulates; moreover, both species can alternatively behave as scavengers or active predators, even considering larger prey species [ 13 , 85 – 87 ]. Our research showed that in Friuli–Venezia Giulia region the golden jackal and the red fox mainly shared three important prey categories, which were wild ungulates, small mammals, and medium-sized mammals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Niche partitioning between sympatric wild canids: the case of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in north-eastern Italy

et al. 2021

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Background Two coexisting species with similar ecological requirements avoid or reduce competition by changing the extent of their use of a given resource. Numerous coexistence mechanisms have been proposed, but species interactions can also be aggressive; thus, generally a subordinate species modifies its realized niche to limit the probability of direct encounters with the dominant species. We studied niche partitioning between two sympatric wild canids in north-eastern Italy: the golden jackal and the red fox, which, based on competition theories, have a high potential for competition. We considered four main niche dimensions: space, habitat, time, and diet. Results We investigated three study areas monitoring target species populations from March 2017 to November 2018 using non-invasive monitoring techniques. Red fox presence was ascertained in every study area, while golden jackal presence was not ascertained in one study area, where we collected data regarding wolf presence. Considering the two target species, we observed partial diet partitioning based on prey size, with the golden jackal mainly feeding on wild ungulates and the red fox mainly feeding on small mammals. The two canids had an extensive temporal overlap along the diel cycle, having both predominant crepuscular and nocturnal activity patterns, but marked spatial partitioning and differential use of habitats. The golden jackal proved to be specialist concerning the habitat dimension, while the red fox resulted completely generalist: the former selected less human-modified habitats and avoided intensively cultivated lands, while the latter was present in all habitats, including intensively cultivated lands. Conclusions The observed partitioning might be due partially to some ecological adaptations (e.g. specialist vs. generalist use of resources) and specific behaviours (e.g. cooperative vs. solitary hunting) and partially to the avoidance response of the red fox aimed at reducing the probability of direct encounters with the golden jackal.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Niche partitioning between sympatric wild canids: the case of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in north-eastern Italy

et al. 2021

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“…We used Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as environmental variables that can potentially affect feeding ecology of foxes (Doherty et al, 2015; Tsunoda & Saito, 2020). We extracted NDVI data (0.1‐degree resolution) from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration website (https://neo.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/view.php?datasetId=MOD_NDVI_M).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We extracted NDVI data (0.1‐degree resolution) from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration website (https://neo.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/view.php?datasetId=MOD_NDVI_M). We used monthly values of NDVI for 2001 to calculate an annual mean value (Tsunoda & Saito, 2020; Table 2).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, fox diet composition might also be dependent on the subspecies studied ( V. vulpes schrencki vs. V. vulpes japonica ); alternatively, differences in geo‐history and biogeography (Hokkaido [the Siberian Subregion with cold‐adapted tundra species] vs. Honshu [the Manchurian Subregion with the species composition of both Palearctic and South‐East Asia]; Dobson, 1994; divided by the Blakiston Line in Figure 1). Similar to previous studies (Díaz‐Ruiz et al, 2013; Doherty et al, 2015; Tsunoda & Saito, 2020), we included season, sampling methodology, average sampling year (as a proxy of temporal environmental change; Hisano, Chen, et al, 2019), and subspecies as predictor variables (Table 2).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To investigate overall dietary switching patterns (regardless of seasonal or spatial variations), we assessed the relationship between all possible pairs of the eight food categories and trophic range metrics (Tsunoda & Saito, 2020) using Pearson's correlation tests.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Red foxes in Japan show adaptability in prey resource according to geography and season: A meta‐analysis

Hisano

Evans

Soga

et al. 2021

Ecological Research

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The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the world's most widespread member of the order Carnivora, occurring across a large range of latitudes and inhabiting multiple habitat types. There is no comprehensive study of how the diets of this flexible generalist vary across the whole Asian continent. We conducted a meta‐analysis of red fox diets in Japan, examining the patterns in food type selection and their associations with seasonality, regional climate, vegetation productivity, and human influences at the national scale. Using linear mixed models, we revealed significant seasonal effects on the frequency of occurrence of mammals in general, ungulate carcasses, birds, and invertebrates in the diets of red foxes. Furthermore, the frequency of occurrence of mammals significantly decreased with mean annual temperature and increased with vegetation productivity. The frequency of invertebrate occurrences increased with temperature, and that of anthropogenic foods increased with human population density. Trophic diversity and dietary niche breadth increased with annual temperature but decreased with vegetation productivity and population density. These results suggest that the red fox is a flexible predator in Japan that adapts its foraging patterns according to variations in resource availability and abiotic conditions, while persistently consuming a certain ratio of animal prey to meet its metabolic requirements. Modifications of predators' trophic niches can influence structures of prey communities and interactions with sympatric competitors. Our findings are important for informing ecosystem management practices under ongoing environmental and social changes in Japan.

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Niche Overlaps and Partitioning Between Eurasian Golden Jackal Canis aureus and Sympatric Red Fox Vulpes vulpes

Tsunoda

2022

Proc Zool Soc

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Variations in the trophic niches of the golden jackal Canis aureus across the Eurasian continent associated with biogeographic and anthropogenic factors

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 9 publications

References 69 publications

Niche partitioning between sympatric wild canids: the case of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in north-eastern Italy

Niche partitioning between sympatric wild canids: the case of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in north-eastern Italy

Red foxes in Japan show adaptability in prey resource according to geography and season: A meta‐analysis

Niche Overlaps and Partitioning Between Eurasian Golden Jackal Canis aureus and Sympatric Red Fox Vulpes vulpes

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