Museum of Natural History

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Museum of Natural History p m r- r-' ME FYF-11 - - T r r.- 1. 4,6*. of the FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY THE COMPARATIVE ECOLOGY OF BOBCAT, BLACK BEAR, AND FLORIDA PANTHER IN SOUTH FLORIDA David Steffen Maehr Volume 40, No. 1, pf 1-176 1997 == 46 1ms 34 i " 4 '· 0?1~ I. Al' Ai: *'%, R' I.' I / Em/-.Ail-%- .1/9" . -_____- UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA GAINESVILLE Numbers of the BULLETIN OF THE FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY am published at irregular intervals Volumes contain about 300 pages and are not necessarily completed in any one calendar year. JOHN F. EISENBERG, EDITOR RICHARD FRANZ CO-EDIWR RHODA J. BRYANT, A£ANAGING EMOR Communications concerning purchase or exchange of the publications and all manuscripts should be addressed to: Managing Editor. Bulletin; Florida Museum of Natural Histoty, University of Florida P. O. Box 117800, Gainesville FL 32611-7800; US.A This journal is printed on recycled paper. ISSN: 0071-6154 CODEN: BF 5BAS Publication date: October 1, 1997 Price: $ 10.00 Frontispiece: Female Florida panther #32 treed by hounds in a laurel oak at the site of her first capture on the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge in central Collier County, 3 February 1989. Photograph by David S. Maehr. THE COMPARATIVE ECOLOGY OF BOBCAT, BLACK BEAR, AND FLORIDA PANTHER IN SOUTH FLORIDA David Steffen Maehri ABSTRACT Comparisons of food habits, habitat use, and movements revealed a low probability for competitive interactions among bobcat (Lynx ndia). Florida panther (Puma concotor cooi 1 and black bear (Urns amencanus) in South Florida. All three species preferred upland forests but ©onsumed different foods and utilized the landscape in ways that resulted in ecological separation. Further, panthers exhibited crepuscular activity whereas black bears were predominantly diurnal. Diet, movernents, and reproduction varied seasonally among speciel Subadults of all three species demonstrated extensive dispersal abilities, but only male black bears were documented to have crossed the Caloosahatchee River, a potential landscape barrier that may restrict effective dispersal northward in bobcats and panthem BecAllte bobcat and black bear in South Florida occur at relatively high densities. anthropogenic changes to thclandscape and sea level rise willaffect them less severely thanpanther. The problems associated with the habitation of a naturally fragmented and patchy forest are exacerbated by the conversion ofproductive habitat types to types that amavoided. Another factor'' - ' '' ' "'yofcoological relations among this carnivore community is the range ell:adon ofthc coyote (Cani, latians) into South Florida. This canid is known to exhibit interference competition with bobcats, black bears, and panthers in other parts of North America. The diet ofthe coyote in Florida may overlap with the dicts of the three native carnivores by at least 38 percent and asmuch as 64 percent The highest concentrations of black bears and panthers in South Florida Loincide with an extensive forest, a landscape feature that accounts for only a small proportion of public land. Increasing forest fragmentation from the Sarasota area southeastward suggests that most public lands are relatively unimportant to the two larger species Because the demographics of even the.mallest ofthese populations (panther) are shown to be typical of healthy populations, creative management, such as flexible reserve boundaries and the enlistment ofprivate property owners in conservation efforts, may be of more immediate value than symptom-oriented management practices such as genetic introgression. RESUMO Comparagaes do habito alimentar, uso de habitat e movimentos revelaram uma bain probabilidade de interaf6es competitivas entre o «bobcat"(Lynx ndiu), o puma americano (Puma concolor cood, e o urso negro (Urms amencanus) no sul da Florida. As tr68 cap6cies preferiram florestas de tcrras altas mas consumiram diferentes tipos de alimento e utilizaram o espa90 de uma modo que regultou em separa40 =016gica. 0 puma Boresentou atividades crepusculares, enquanto que o urso· negro fbi predominantemente de habito diurno. Dieta, movimentos, e reprodu#o variaram sasonalmente entre as espkies. Subadultos das ' The author & Assistant Professor, Foresuy, C - _ - -- ' '„Lecington KY 40546-0073 U.SA MAEHR, D.S. 1997. The comparative ecology ofbobcat. black bear, and Florida panther in South Florida Bull. Florida Mus. Nat. Hist. 40(1):1-176. 2 BULLETIN FLORIDA MUSEUM NATURAL HISTORY VOL 40(1) trBs esp6cies demonstraram grande habilidade de dispersao, mas somente machos do uno negro foram documentados atravessando o Rio Caloosahatchee, unia potencial bamira na paisagem que talvez'limite uma dispesao efetiva pan o norte em "bobcals"e purnai Uma vez que no sul da Florida "bobcats" e ursos negros ocorrem em densidades relativame~e altas, mudangas antr6picas na paisagem, somadas a um possivel aumento no nivel das mards. irao afeta-los de maneira menos severa doquc o puma. Os problemas associados com a habits* dedreas naturalmente fragmen,9,1.. e florestas isoladas sao exacerbados pela conversao de habitas produtivos para tipos habitas que sao evitados por cssas ess,6cies. Outro fator queameagaaestabilidade das relag6cs cool6gicas entre esta comunidade de carnivoros 6 a expansao da distribui~ao do coyote (Cani, latrans) que vem ovorrendo no sul da Florida. £ sabido que esse canideo compete com "bobcats" ursos c pumss em outras parts (la An*ica do Norte. A dieta do coyote na F16rida talvez se sobreponha com a dieta desses tres carnivoros natives em pelo menos 38% podendo chegar a16 a 6404 Incais de alta concentragao de urses negrosepumas no gui da F16rida coincidem com florestas extenvas, uma caracteristica de paisagem que ocorrem em pequena proporgao em terms pOblicas. 0 mini%to da fragmentafao das florestas na drea de Sarasota em diregao sul, sugere que a maioria das terras pablicas sao relativamente menos importantes para as duas csp6cics maiores. Devido aos fatores demogr~ficos at,1 para a menor dessas popula~es (punia) se mostrarem ser tipicos de popula0es sadias, o mancio criativo. tais como limits mais fiexiveis das reservas, e o cadastramento de proprietdrios de terras privadas em esforfos conservacionistas, talvcz tenham valor mais imediato do que pdticas de manejo sintomdticas, como por exemplo introgressao genatica. TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgemmk 3 1. Introduction........................................................................................................................................... Overview ofCamivore Community Studies.................................................................................. - Study A- 9 Summary of Previous Large Carnivore Work in Florida 13 General Methodology 18 2. Dietary Overi,r 21 Methods................................................,..............„........,................................................................. 21 Results and Discussioa................................................................................................................ 22 Species Compari- 27 =*ASS= 3. Habitat Use Among South Florida's Large Mammalian Carnivores. ..........'........~.........~...........~........ Mel]¤Is........................................................................................................................................... Results and Discussion.................................................................................................................... 4. Habilat Pattern around Florida Panther Natal Dens and Black Bear Winter Dem............................. Method. Results and Discussion..............................„......„.......„........................................,......................... Influence of Roark 65 5. Home Range, Activity, and Land Tenure 73 Methods 74 Results and Discussion. 75 Seasonal Effects 76 Home Range Fidelity and Replacement 81 Overlap Within and Among Rperi- 83 6. Dispersal Characteridie« 117 118 Results and Discussion...................................................,*............................................................... 118 Adults and Dispersers Compared............................................................................................... 120 7. Synthesis and Conclusions................................................................................................................... 144 The Rellim of Wild Canids to Florida......... .. .......................................................... 147 A Longer Range View 150 Literature Cited......................................................................................·········································· 161 Appendix A. .................I.-M-....*..........*.............A.............."..m...."m...................~....'....................'.......... 173 Appendix B. ......~.. --m.-I~~eee~~,m.. -le-m-g---*mil-Mm~Mm-mM--m#-m-----I-'-Immmm. 175 MAEHR: ECOLOGY BOBCAT, BLACK BEAR, PANTHER 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many people have contributed to our current understanding of large carnivore ecology in South Florida. Notable in this endeavor are E.D. Land, Todd Logan, J.C. Roof J.W. McCown, O.L Bass, and J.N. Layne. R.T. McBride. and frequently his sons Rocky and Rowdy, linked its with study in;„,i# and maintained long-term contact with many ofthem. I amalsogratefulfortheopportunity tohave woked with M.E. Roelke, C. Glass, M.Lamm, T. Ruth, S. Citino, and especially J. Lanier, all of whom helped to look after anesthetized bobcats and panthers. J. Kappes, R. Bell, and P. Baronoff were important field assistants who lent their unique
Recommended publications
  • APROXIMACIÓN AL LENGUAJE REPERTORIAL DE LAS ESTEREOTIPIAS EN MAMIFEROS CARNIVOROS JAGUAR (Panthera Onca), GRISÓN (Galictis
    APROXIMACIÓN AL LENGUAJE REPERTORIAL DE LAS ESTEREOTIPIAS EN MAMIFEROS CARNIVOROS JAGUAR (Panthera onca), GRISÓN (Galictis vittata) Y OCELOTE (Leopardus pardalis) DEL ZOOLOGICO GUATIKA, BOYACA – TIBASOSA. Laura Inés Monsalve Zuleta CÓDIGO:2014101101 Trabajo de investigación presentado como requisito parcial para optar al título de: Médica veterinaria especialista en Medicina Homeopática veterinaria Director (a): Néstor Alberto Calderón Maldonado Médico Veterinario – Universidad de la Salle Certificado en Medicina Veterinaria Homeopática – FICH “Luis G. Páez” Especialista en Bioética – Universidad El Bosque Fundación Universitaria Escuela Colombiana de Medicina Homeopática “Luis G. Páez”. Programa de Medicina Homeopática Veterinaria Bogotá, Colombia 2016 2 DEDICATORIA A mi familia, amigos y doctores que me apoyaron en esta etapa de mi vida tanto profesional como personal. 3 AGRADECIMIENTOS Agradezco a mi familia, amigos y Doctores que me ayudaron a culminar esta etapa de mi vida. 4 TABLA DE CONTENIDO: 1. RESUMEN ...................................................................................................................................... 7 2. INTRODUCCIÓN ........................................................................................................................... 8 3. JUSTIFICACIÓN ........................................................................................................................... 9 4. ESTADO DEL ARTE .................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Placental Haemophagous Organs in the Procyonidae and Mustelidae
    PLACENTAL HAEMOPHAGOUS ORGANS IN THE PROCYONIDAE AND MUSTELIDAE R. F. S. CREED and J. D. BIGGERS Royal Veterinary College, London, N.W. 1, and the King Ranch Laboratory oj Reproductive Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, U.S.A. {Received 9th January 1964) Summary. A description is given of some of the gross anatomical characteristics of the placenta of representatives of five carnivore species of the families Procyonidae and Mustelidae. Emphasis is laid on the occurrence of well-defined haemophagocytic structures in these placen- tae, which have not, hitherto, been investigated. INTRODUCTION Recently, the name haemophagous organ was proposed for a particular structure found in the raccoon {Procyon lotor lotor L.) placenta (Biggers & Creed, 1962). This highly vascular sac-like structure, which hangs into the allantoic cavity, is of macroscopic dimensions and emerges from a central antimesometrial region of the placental annulus in this procyonid carnivore (Pi. 1, Fig. 1). It increases in size and complexity until about two-thirds to three-quarters of the gestation period has elapsed, after which it regresses. Morphologically it is quite distinct from the rest of the placenta which is labyrinthine, and histo¬ logical examination shows it to be made up of a series of branching and anasto¬ mosing lamellae which consist of a thin core of foetal mesenchyme, containing foetal capillaries, lined on either side by tall foetal columnar epithelial cells. Interlamellar spaces are filled with maternal blood which gains access from the maternal side at the base of the haemophagous organ, and bathes the foetal columnar epithelium. The cells of this epithelium bear every indication of being phagocytic and appear to be concerned essentially with the ingestion of maternal blood corpuscles (Biggers & Creed, 1962; Creed & Biggers, 1963a, b).
    [Show full text]
  • Mod Signs up for 200 Ocelot Light Protected Patrol Vehicles
    Force Protection Europe Limited Ricardo plc Midlands Technical Centre, Shoreham Technical Centre Southam Road, Radford Semele, Shoreham-by-Sea Leamington Spa, CV31 1FQ West Sussex BN43 5FG Tel: +44 (0)1926 319 494 Tel: +44 (0)1273 455611 MoD signs up for 200 Ocelot light protected patrol vehicles – Contract award gives Force Protection Europe two industry firsts – Force Protection Europe has signed a contract with the UK MoD to supply an order of 200 Ocelots, and an initial spares package, for the Light Protected Patrol Vehicles (LPPV) programme. The contract is valued at approximately £180 million and delivery of the vehicles is scheduled to be completed by Spring 2012. The announcement means that Force Protection Europe’s unique new light protected patrol vehicle can now lay claim to two important industry firsts. The Ocelot will be the first ever British designed and built protected patrol vehicle to include a fully composite pod to protect the occupants. This innovative module has been developed by drawing on technology from the motorsports industry. Ocelot will also be the first British military vehicle to accommodate the MoD’s new Generic Vehicle Architecture (GVA) requirements. The objective of the GVA project is to create a single, standard digital electronic and electrical architecture for UK vehicles that will enable crew to manage power and handle data efficiently on the vehicle, and for the vehicle to be easily adapted when the need arises. The award is also a significant boost to Force Protection Europe’s supply chain which is 90 percent British by value. Designed, developed and built in the UK by survivability specialist Force Protection Europe and automotive specialist Ricardo plc, together with Team Ocelot partners Thales, QinetiQ, Formaplex, DSG and Sula, Ocelot is the most highly protected and agile vehicle of its size and weight that is available today.
    [Show full text]
  • Mammal Species Native to the USA and Canada for Which the MIL Has an Image (296) 31 July 2021
    Mammal species native to the USA and Canada for which the MIL has an image (296) 31 July 2021 ARTIODACTYLA (includes CETACEA) (38) ANTILOCAPRIDAE - pronghorns Antilocapra americana - Pronghorn BALAENIDAE - bowheads and right whales 1. Balaena mysticetus – Bowhead Whale BALAENOPTERIDAE -rorqual whales 1. Balaenoptera acutorostrata – Common Minke Whale 2. Balaenoptera borealis - Sei Whale 3. Balaenoptera brydei - Bryde’s Whale 4. Balaenoptera musculus - Blue Whale 5. Balaenoptera physalus - Fin Whale 6. Eschrichtius robustus - Gray Whale 7. Megaptera novaeangliae - Humpback Whale BOVIDAE - cattle, sheep, goats, and antelopes 1. Bos bison - American Bison 2. Oreamnos americanus - Mountain Goat 3. Ovibos moschatus - Muskox 4. Ovis canadensis - Bighorn Sheep 5. Ovis dalli - Thinhorn Sheep CERVIDAE - deer 1. Alces alces - Moose 2. Cervus canadensis - Wapiti (Elk) 3. Odocoileus hemionus - Mule Deer 4. Odocoileus virginianus - White-tailed Deer 5. Rangifer tarandus -Caribou DELPHINIDAE - ocean dolphins 1. Delphinus delphis - Common Dolphin 2. Globicephala macrorhynchus - Short-finned Pilot Whale 3. Grampus griseus - Risso's Dolphin 4. Lagenorhynchus albirostris - White-beaked Dolphin 5. Lissodelphis borealis - Northern Right-whale Dolphin 6. Orcinus orca - Killer Whale 7. Peponocephala electra - Melon-headed Whale 8. Pseudorca crassidens - False Killer Whale 9. Sagmatias obliquidens - Pacific White-sided Dolphin 10. Stenella coeruleoalba - Striped Dolphin 11. Stenella frontalis – Atlantic Spotted Dolphin 12. Steno bredanensis - Rough-toothed Dolphin 13. Tursiops truncatus - Common Bottlenose Dolphin MONODONTIDAE - narwhals, belugas 1. Delphinapterus leucas - Beluga 2. Monodon monoceros - Narwhal PHOCOENIDAE - porpoises 1. Phocoena phocoena - Harbor Porpoise 2. Phocoenoides dalli - Dall’s Porpoise PHYSETERIDAE - sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus – Sperm Whale TAYASSUIDAE - peccaries Dicotyles tajacu - Collared Peccary CARNIVORA (48) CANIDAE - dogs 1. Canis latrans - Coyote 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Predicting Greater Grison Galictis Vittata Presence from Scarce Records in the Department of Cordoba, Colombia
    ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION Predicting Greater Grison Galictis vittata presence from scarce records in the department of Cordoba, Colombia José F. GONZÁLEZ-MAYA1*, Julio J. CHACÓN PACHECO2, Javier RACERO-CASARRUBIA2, Erika HUMANEZ-LÓPEZ2 & Andrés ARIAS-ALZATE3 1. Proyecto de Conservación de Aguas y Tierras, ProCAT Colombia/Internacional, Calle 97ª # 10-62, Of. 202, Bogotá, Abstract. Colombia. The Greater Grison, Galictis vittata, is a poorly known species in Colombia. Throughout 2. Grupo de Investigación its range major knowledge gaps exist regarding its ecology and conservation. To compile Biodiversidad Unicórdoba, and analyse information about the species´ distribution records in the department of Universidad de Córdoba, Cordoba, Colombia and assess its presence probability according to landscape attributes, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia. we conducted a literature review of all wildlife studies in the region and compiled all possible direct presence records of the species in the department. We generated random 3.Grupo de Mastozoología, location points and characterized each distribution and random location by their distance to landscape attributes and land-cover type and modelled landscape presence using a Instituto de Biología, Multiple Logistic Regression approach. We found 33 records of the species in Cordoba Universidad de Antioquía. with most of the records distributed in the subregion of Alto Sinú (36%). Higher presence Medellín, Colombia. probabilities are localized in areas near forests mostly in the southern parts of the department, showing the species is still related with the largest forest blocks. Grisons Correspondence: appears to potentially tolerate some levels of disturbance but is still dependent to forest. The influence of natural habitats and abundance across the department and other areas José F.
    [Show full text]
  • Controlled Animals
    Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Fish and Wildlife Policy Division Controlled Animals Wildlife Regulation, Schedule 5, Part 1-4: Controlled Animals Subject to the Wildlife Act, a person must not be in possession of a wildlife or controlled animal unless authorized by a permit to do so, the animal was lawfully acquired, was lawfully exported from a jurisdiction outside of Alberta and was lawfully imported into Alberta. NOTES: 1 Animals listed in this Schedule, as a general rule, are described in the left hand column by reference to common or descriptive names and in the right hand column by reference to scientific names. But, in the event of any conflict as to the kind of animals that are listed, a scientific name in the right hand column prevails over the corresponding common or descriptive name in the left hand column. 2 Also included in this Schedule is any animal that is the hybrid offspring resulting from the crossing, whether before or after the commencement of this Schedule, of 2 animals at least one of which is or was an animal of a kind that is a controlled animal by virtue of this Schedule. 3 This Schedule excludes all wildlife animals, and therefore if a wildlife animal would, but for this Note, be included in this Schedule, it is hereby excluded from being a controlled animal. Part 1 Mammals (Class Mammalia) 1. AMERICAN OPOSSUMS (Family Didelphidae) Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginiana 2. SHREWS (Family Soricidae) Long-tailed Shrews Genus Sorex Arboreal Brown-toothed Shrew Episoriculus macrurus North American Least Shrew Cryptotis parva Old World Water Shrews Genus Neomys Ussuri White-toothed Shrew Crocidura lasiura Greater White-toothed Shrew Crocidura russula Siberian Shrew Crocidura sibirica Piebald Shrew Diplomesodon pulchellum 3.
    [Show full text]
  • An Educator's Resource to Texas Mammal Skulls and Skins
    E4H-014 11/17 An Educator’s Resource to Texas Mammal Skulls and Skins for use in 4-H Wildlife Programs and FFA Wildlife Career Development Events By, Denise Harmel-Garza Program Coordinator I, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 4-H Photographer and coauthor, Audrey Sepulveda M.Ed. Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, Texas A&M University College Station, Texas 2017 “A special thanks to the Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections at Texas A&M University for providing access to their specimens.” Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides equal opportunities in its programs and employment to all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating. Introduction Texas youth that participate in wildlife programs may be asked to identify a skull, skin, scat, tracks, etc. of an animal. Usually, educators must find this information and assemble pictures of skulls and skins from various sources. They also must ensure that what they find is relevant and accurate. Buying skulls and skins to represent all Texas mammals is costly. Most educators cannot afford them, and if they can, maintaining these collections over time is problematic. This study resource will reduce the time teachers across the state need to spend searching for information and allow them more time for presenting the material to their students. This identification guide gives teachers and students easy access to information that is accurate and valuable for learning to identify Texas mammals.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter Provides Information on EGC ESP Site Location, On-Site
    CHAPTER 2 Site Characteristics This chapter provides information on the EGC ESP Site location, on-site activities and controls, present and projected population distribution, meteorological, hydrological, geological, and seismological characteristics. The purpose of presenting this information is to provide the bases for demonstrating the adequacy of the site characteristics from a site safety viewpoint and to provide input to support environmental characterization. The influence of the EGC ESP site characteristics on the design and operation of a possible future nuclear power facility will be assessed at the construction and operating license (COL) stage pursuant to 10 CFR 52 Subpart C. REV2 2-1 CHAPTER 2 - SITE CHARACTERISTICS SITE SAFETY ANALYSIS REPORT FOR EGC EARLY SITE PERMIT SECTION 2.1 – GEOGRAPHY AND DEMOGRAPHY 2.1 Geography and Demography 2.1.1 Site Location and Description 2.1.1.1 Specification of Location The EGC ESP Facility will be co-located on the property of the existing CPS Facility and its associated 4,895 ac man-made cooling reservoir (Clinton Lake) (CPS, 2002). The EGC ESP Facility will be located approximately 700 ft south of the existing CPS Facility. The CPS Facility lies within Zone 16 of the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates. The exact UTM coordinates for the EGC ESP Facility will depend upon the specific reactor technology selected for deployment and will be finalized at COL. As shown on Figures 1.2-1 and 2.1-1 there is a complex transportation system surrounding the EGC ESP Site. The nearest major highways are Illinois State Routes 54, 10, and 48, all of which cross the CPS Facility property.
    [Show full text]
  • Travel Instructions 1
    Travel Instructions 1 to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Getting to Campus by Car: We look forward to welcoming you to our campus. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in the heart of the US; an easy drive from Chicago, St. Louis From the north on Interstate 57: and Indianapolis; and readily accessible by air, rail, and bus. • Drive south on I-57 to I-74. • Drive east on I-74 to the Lincoln Avenue exit. • Take the Lincoln Avenue exit south. Chicago • Drive 1.7 miles until you get to the corner of Lincoln and Green Street. • Turn right on Green Street. Illinois I-57 I-74 From the south on Interstate 57: Urbana- Champaign • Drive north on I-57 to exit 235, the junction with I-72. As you arrive in Champaign, I-72 becomes University Avenue. • Follow University Avenue east through Champaign, into I-74 Urbana, to Lincoln Avenue (about 3.5 miles). Springfield I-72 • Turn right (south) and go six blocks until you get to the Indianapolis corner of Lincoln Avenue and Green Street. I-55 • Turn right on Green Street. I-70 I-70 From the south, and WIllard Airport, on US Route 45: • Drive north on Route 45 (if leaving Willard Airport, turn left off I-57 Airport Road onto Route 45), through the town of Savoy, to Kirby St. Louis Avenue in Champaign. (Route 45 becomes Neil Street.) • Turn right on Kirby Avenue and drive east into Urbana (Kirby becomes Florida Avenue) to Lincoln Avenue (traffic light).
    [Show full text]
  • Puma Concolor) in a Multiple Prey-Species System
    ORIGINAL ARTICLE Functional responses of cougars (Puma concolor) in a multiple prey-species system Leroy SORIA-DÍAZ1, Mike S. FOWLER2, Octavio MONROY-VILCHIS3* and Daniel ORO4 1 Instituto de Ecología Aplicada, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas. Av. División del Golfo 356, Col. Libertad C.P. 87019, Cd. Victoria, Tamaulipas México. 2 Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, U.K. *3 Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Instituto Literario 100, Centro, C.P 50000, Toluca, México. Tel: +01 722 2 96 55 53 4 Instituto Mediterraneo de Estudios Avanzados IMEDEA, CSIC-UIB, 07190 Esporles, España. *Corresponding author: [email protected] This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi: 10.1111/1749-4877.12262. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. 2 Abstract The study of predator-prey interactions is commonly analyzed using functional responses to gain an understanding of predation patterns and the impact they have on prey populations. Despite this, little is known about predator-prey systems with multiple prey species in sites near the equator. Here we studied the functional response of cougars (Puma concolor) in Sierra Nanchititla Natural Reserve (Mexico), in relation to their main prey, armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), coati (Nasua narica) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Between 2004 and 2010, cougar scats were collected along five transects to estimate the consumption of different prey species.
    [Show full text]
  • Cats of Belize Jaguar Average 4.25 Ft
    WEC314 A Guide to Living with Wild Cats1 Venetia S. Briggs-Gonzalez, Rebecca G. Harvey, Frank J. Mazzotti, and William M. Giuliano2 lands. This research suggests that more wild cats live near farms than people are aware of. Considering the number of wild cats living near villages, attacks on livestock and people are rare in Belize. However, conflicts between people and cats sometimes occur when cats lack food, water and habitat, when livestock is threat- ened, or when people are unaware of the benefits to living with cats. Cats of Belize Jaguar average 4.25 ft. long, 160 lbs. Figure 1. Jaguar (Panthera onca) Credits: © Tony Rath Photography, www.tonyrath.com Sharing the Landscape Belize is home to five species of wild cats. They live mainly in forests and wetlands, and hunt animals such as paca (gibnut), coatimundi, deer, peccary, birds, reptiles, and small rodents. When farms and villages are next to forests, people and wild cats live side-by-side. In the New River area of Orange Walk District, the Lamanai Field Research Center and University of Florida are studying cats using Figure 2. Jaguar (Panthera onca) “camera traps” placed in a variety of locations on private Credits: © Tony Rath Photography, www.tonyrath.com 1. This document is WEC314, one of a series of the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 2011. Reviewed October 2014. Revised June 2018. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. 2. Venetia S. Briggs-Gonzalez, research ecologist; Rebecca G. Harvey, environmental education coordinator; Frank J.
    [Show full text]
  • Giant Panda Facts (Ailuropoda Melanoleuca)
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Giant Panda Facts (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) Giant panda. John J. Mosesso What animal is black and white Giant pandas are bears with one or two cubs weighing 3 to 5 and loved all over the world? If you striking black and white markings. ounces each is born in a sheltered guessed the giant panda, you’re The ears, eye patches, legs and den. Usually only one cub survives. right! shoulder band are black; the rest The eyes open at 1 1/2 to 2 months of the body is whitish. They have and the cub becomes mobile at The giant panda is also known as thick, woolly coats to insulate them approximately three months of the panda bear, bamboo bear, or in from the cold. Adults are four to six age. At 12 months the cub becomes Chinese as Daxiongmao, the “large feet long and may weigh up to 350 totally independent. While their bear cat.” In fact, its scientific pounds—about the same size as average life span in the wild is name means “black and white cat- the American black bear. However, about 15 years, giant pandas in footed animal.” unlike the black bear, giant pandas captivity have been known to live do not hibernate and cannot walk well into their twenties. Giant pandas are found only in on their hind legs. the mountains of central China— Scientists have debated for more in small isolated areas of the The giant panda has unique front than a century whether giant north and central portions of the paws—one of the wrist bones is pandas belong to the bear family, Sichuan Province, in the mountains enlarged and elongated and is used the raccoon family, or a separate bordering the southernmost part of like a thumb, enabling the giant family of their own.
    [Show full text]