The elk or wapiti (Cervus elaphus) and bison (Bison bison) of Yellowstone National Park have lived in an environment free wolves (Canis lupus) for the last 50 years. In winter 1994-1995, were reintroduced into parts Park. Foraging theory predicts that would respond to this threat by increasing their vigilance levels. We tested prediction comparing levels areas with those still "wolf-free" zones Male showed no response reintroduction wolves, maintaining lowest throughout study ([Formula: see...

Predation risk" and "fear" are concepts well established in animal behavior literature.We expand these to develop the model of "landscape fear".The landscape fear represents relative levels predation risk as peaks valleys that reflect level a prey experiences different parts its area use.We provide observations support this regarding changes with respect habitat types, terrain characteristics.We postulate animals have ability learn can respond differing risk.We propose be quantified use...

We applied optimal foraging theory to test effects of habitat and predation risk on behavior mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) subject by mountain lions (Puma concolor). predicted that would spend less time foraging, have higher giving-up densities food (GUDs), vigilance when occupying patch edges than in open forest interiors. also measured GUDs 3 microhabitats within types. used pellet-group surveys estimate microhabitat use, we assessed with automatic camera systems. The (perceived risk)...

In 1995, wolves Canis lupus were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park, USA, where they began to prey on ungulate species. response this new predation risk by wolves, we predicted that the two main species, elk Cervus elaphus and bison Bison bison, should compensate reducing their use of riskier open meadows increasing safer forest. Additionally shift in habitat would result reduced diet quality. We tested first prediction regressing number faecal groups 10-m2 sampling plots against...

Identifying factors that may be responsible for regulating the size of animal populations is a cornerstone in understanding population ecology. The main are thought to influence either resources (bottom‐up), or predation (top‐down), interspecific competition (parallel). However, there highly variable and often contradictory results regarding their relative strengths influence. These varied interpreted as indicating “shifting control” among three factors, complex, nonlinear relationship...

The predator-prey shell game predicts random movement of prey across the landscape, whereas behavioral response race and landscape fear models predict that there should be a negative relationship between spatial distribution predator its behaviorally active prey. Additionally, have imperfect information on whereabouts their predator, which incorporate in patch use strategy. I used one-predator-one-prey system, puma (Puma concolor)-mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) to test following predictions...

The authors compared estimates of home range and daily movement for radio-tagged pronghorns (Antilocapra americana) coyotes (Canis latrans) based on subsamples data collected at short time intervals during nonconsecutive 24-hour sampling sessions. Home-range size, calculated by either the minimum area method or linked-cell grid method, distance traveled were underestimated when statistically independent data. Autocorrelated provided a better estimate true home-range sizes than all intervals....

We evaluated the degree of mutual exclusivity distributions coyotes ( Canis latrans Say, 1823) and their main prey (two lagomorph species: black-tailed jackrabbit, Lepus californicus Gray, 1837, desert cottontail rabbit, Sylvilagus audubonii (Baird, 1858)) within landscape by testing two models. The first assumes that seek high resource patches and, subsequently, predators these patches, predicts a overlap in patch use both. second model predator balance not only food resources but...

The elk or wapiti (Cervus elaphus) and bison (Bison bison) of Yellowstone National Park have lived in an environment free wolves (Canis lupus) for the last 50 years. In winter 1994-1995, were reintroduced into parts Park. Foraging theory predicts that would respond to this threat by increasing their vigilance levels. We tested prediction comparing levels areas with those still "wolf-free" zones Male showed no response reintroduction wolves, maintaining lowest throughout study (12 7% time was...

I used estimates of energetic requirements pumas (Puma concolor) to estimate prey for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). This might help explain the impact may have on populations. Accepted daily energy demands result in annual kill rates per puma 44 >100 deer/yr. However, recent studies activity indicate that methods calculate these earlier values been flawed. To test this possibility, a more recently developed allometric equation demand based movement data from radio telemetry study...

Optimal foraging theory predicts that an animal should optimize its time spent in food patches based on resource levels and, if preyed by another species, predation risk. In large mammal predator-prey systems, previous studies have suggested prey do consider risk when and tend to avoid high-risk areas. contrast, mammalian predators are trying their foraging, we predict they select these areas because such represent higher success. For pumas Puma concolor southeastern Idaho, work showed edges...

Pumas Puma concolor are stalking predators of large ungulates that usually cache their prey. We hypothesize they require specific habitats to successfully stalk prey and select sites based on some set criteria. tested these predictions during a study predation by pumas mule deer Odocoileus hemionus in south‐central Idaho northwestern Utah, USA. found points puma‐killed winter locating radio‐collared pumas. then located where had killed (kill points) tracks the snow. classified kill relative...

ABSTRACT Information on factors affecting population size of pumas ( Puma concolor ) can be important because their principal prey over most the western United States are valued big game species (e.g., mule deer [ Odocoileus hemionus ], elk Cervus elaphus and bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis ]). Based hypothesis that puma numbers limited by food supply, populations should track changes in abundance growing exponentially with increases declining a lag response when decreases. Additional...

We conducted an 11-year comparative study on temporal variation in rodent density, biomass, and species composition dynamics from adjacent grassland shrubland environments the Chihuahuan Desert of North America, relation to rainfall plant production. found that assemblages those were only 14% similar overall composition, but consisted different same genera with ecological attributes. Each community was numerically dominated by a granivorous kangaroo rat, 2 communities paralleled each other...

Home range size, daily travel distances, and diel activity patterns are important characteristics of how an animal uses its home area. In species, such as the bobcat (Lynx rufus), with large geographical ranges, it is necessary to gather data on diverse populations across better understand what might be factors influencing these parameters. Although there many studies bobcats in more northern areas United States, few exist from extensive southern Mexico. To fill this gap information, we...

Under predation risk, prey species are more abundant in areas of low risk even at the expense forage quality.As a result two predictions possible, 1) predators should choose to hunt with fewer but easier catch than where they harder catch; and 2) frequency diet using be greater than, or least equal to, high areas.To test these predictions, we used data on coyote Canis latrans abundance composition from habitats Chihuahuan Desert Mexico that have different abundances jackrabbits (Lepus...

Results of recent studies have indicated that the amount edge habitat in an area may be important factor determining home range size pumas. We tested this hypothesis with data on ranges pumas southern Idaho/northwestern Utah. The study is highly fragmented into forest patches and sagebrush open areas. three predictions: (1) percent would negatively related to size, (2) similar, regardless (3) there more within boundaries than general areas similar size. Home (90%) varied from 29.8 118.7 km2....