Dynamic occupancy modelling reveals a hierarchy of competition among fishers, grey foxes and ringtails

摘要: Determining how species coexist is critical for understanding functional diversity, niche partitioning and interspecific interactions. Identifying the direct indirect interactions among sympatric carnivores that enable their coexistence particularly important to elucidate because they are integral maintaining ecosystem function. We studied effects of removing nine fishers (Pekania pennanti) on population dynamics used this perturbation fishers, grey foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) ringtails (Bassariscus astutus). Grey (family: Canidae) likely compete with due similar body sizes dietary overlap, Procyonidae), like semi-arboreal conservation concern. spatial capture-recapture investigate fisher numbers dynamic occupancy models incorporated members these had colonization persistence each other's site occupancy. The showed no change in density up 3 years following removals translocations. In contrast, decreased immediately During same time period, by increased remained elevated through end study. found a complicated hierarchy ringtails. Fishers affected fox negatively but positive effect colonization. Foxes ringtail Thus, were dominant small carnivore where present directly indirectly. Coexistence we appears reflect partitioning. Conservation management efforts should intraguild may influence recolonization previously occupied landscapes.