Fear of the dark or dinner by moonlight? Reduced temporal partitioning among Africa's large carnivores

摘要: Africa is home to the last intact guild of large carnivores and thus provides only opportunity investigate mechanisms coexistence among predator species. Strong asymmetric dominance hierarchies typically characterize guilds carnivores; but despite this asymmetry, subdominant species may persist alongside their stronger counterparts through temporal partitioning habitat resources. In African guild, wild dogs cheetahs are routinely described as diurnal crepuscular. These activity patterns have been interpreted result from need avoid encounters with stronger, nocturnal spotted hyenas lions. However, idea that diel carnivore strongly shaped by competition predation has recently challenged new observations. a three-year study in Okavango Delta, we investigated daily for dogs, cheetahs, lions fitting radio collars continuously recorded bursts, total 25 individuals. Analysis throughout 24-h cycle revealed an unexpectedly high degree overlap four This was mainly due extensive previously undescribed cheetahs. Their fluctuated lunar cycle, represented up 40% budget primarily constrained moonlight availability. contrast, were unaffected remained constant over cycle. Our results suggest other ecological factors such optimal hunting conditions subdominant, predators. We they ''starvation driven'' must exploit every obtain meal. The benefits on moonlit nights therefore offset risks encountering night-active predators competitors.