| Autor: |
Rafiq K; Center for Ecosystem Sentinels, Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-0005, USA.; Botswana Predator Conservation, Maun, Botswana., Jordan NR; Botswana Predator Conservation, Maun, Botswana.; Centre for Ecosystem Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.; Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Sydney, Australia., Golabek K; Botswana Predator Conservation, Maun, Botswana.; Centre for Ecosystem Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia., McNutt JW; Botswana Predator Conservation, Maun, Botswana., Wilson A; Structure and Motion Lab, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK., Abrahms B; Center for Ecosystem Sentinels, Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-0005, USA.; Botswana Predator Conservation, Maun, Botswana. |
| Abstrakt: |
Shifts in species' interactions are implicated as an important proximate cause underpinning climate-change-related extinction. However, there is little empirical evidence on the pathways through which climate conditions, such as ambient temperature, impact community dynamics. The timing of activities is a widespread behavioural adaptation to environmental variability, and temporal partitioning is a key mechanism that facilitates coexistence, especially within large carnivore communities. We investigated temperature impacts on community dynamics through its influence on the diel activity of, and temporal partitioning amongst, four sympatric species of African large carnivores: lions ( Panthera leo ), leopards ( Panthera pardus ), cheetahs ( Acinonyx jubatus ) and African wild dogs ( Lycaon pictus ). Activity of all species was shaped by a combination of light availability and temperature, with most species becoming more nocturnal and decreasing activity levels with increasing temperatures. A nocturnal shift was most pronounced in cheetahs, the most diurnal species during median temperatures. This shift increased temporal overlap between cheetahs and other carnivore species by up to 15.92%, highlighting the importance of considering the responses of interacting sympatric species when inferring climate impacts on ecosystems. Our study provides evidence that temperature can significantly affect temporal partitioning within a carnivore guild by generating asymmetrical behavioural responses amongst functionally similar species. |
