Fear, foraging and olfaction: how mesopredators avoid costly interactions with apex predators

• DOI: 10.1007/s00442-018-4133-3
• Publication Date: 2018-04-13T01:03:39Z
• Authors: Peter M. Haswell; Katherine A. Jones; Josip Kusak; Matt W. Hayward
• Keywords: Mesopredator release hypothesis; Optimal foraging theory; Carnivore; Intraguild predation

Where direct killing is rare and niche overlap low, sympatric carnivores may appear to coexist without conflict. Interference interactions, harassment injury from larger still pose a risk smaller mesopredators. Foraging theory suggests that animals should adjust their behaviour accordingly optimise foraging efficiency overall fitness, trading off harvest rate with costs fitness. The of red foxes, Vulpes vulpes, was studied automated cameras repeated measures giving-up density (GUD) experiment where olfactory cues were manipulated. In Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia, foxes increased GUDs by 34% quitting rates 29% in response wolf urine. addition leaving more food behind, also responded urine spending less time visiting patches each day altering order compensate for the when patches. Thus, utilised olfaction assess experienced due presence cue gray wolves, Canis lupus. This study identifies behavioural mechanisms which enable competing predators coexist, highlights potential additional ecosystem service pathways arising large carnivores. Given vulnerability anthropogenic disturbance, growing human population intensifying resource consumption, it becomes increasingly important understand ecological processes so land can be managed appropriately.