Nowhere to hide: pumas, black bears, and competition refuges

摘要: One hypothesis for how carnivores with overlapping ecology coexist in natural systems is through heterogeneous competition landscapes, which subordinates utilize “competition refuges” to mitigate risks associated dominant competitors. We tested the effects of American black bear (Ursus americanus) kleptoparasitism on puma (Puma concolor) foraging 2 North America. also whether partial prey consumption exhibited by pumas presence bears was better explained rules optimal or bears, and utilized spatial refuges over carcass remains. Puma kill rates ungulates/wk were equivalent across study systems, but 48% greater season than no-bear season. Our analyses handling time did not support notion that followed patterns foraging. Rather, bears. Surprisingly, instead our results suggested they increase their compensate losses. linking high seasonal a top predator competitor provide strong evidence predation can only be understood within community framework. In particular, we propose future studies should differentiate between relative contributions predators competitors dynamics. Further, suggest kleptoparasites may indirectly impact populations predators.