Patterns of spatial co‐occurrence among native and exotic carnivores in north‐eastern Madagascar

摘要: Human populations continue to increase and encroach on remaining natural habitats worldwide, resulting in greater numbers larger ranges of commensal exotic carnivores such as cats dogs. This results increased interactions with native wildlife. In Madagascar, we know relatively little about the effects domestic and/or feral dogs carnivore populations. We investigated spatial by combining photographic sampling across seven sites two-species co-occurrence modeling provide first assessment including an examination habitat characteristics that explain these relationships. Our surveys from 2008 2013 accumulated 2991 photo-captures 8854 trap nights. found rainforest occur together less often than expected may be replacing carnivores, particularly forest areas nearest villages. Six this study had higher site use absence their species interaction factors (SIF) revealed a lack (e.g. SIF < 1.0). nocturnal crepuscular were likely co-occur carnivores. demonstrate effectiveness investigate entire community exposes strong negative influence ranging exclusion complete replacement urgently recommend combination targeted educational programs removal combat influx