Assessment Of Prey Vulnerability Through Analysis Of Wolf Movements And Kill Sites

摘要: Within predator–prey systems behavior can heavily influence spatial dynamics, and accordingly, the theoretical study of how dynamics relate to stability within these has a rich history. However, our understanding behaviors in large mammalian is poorly developed. To address relationship between predator selection patterns, prey density, vulnerability, we quantified patterns for two fine-scale recovering wolf (Canis lupus) population Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. Wolf data were collected November May from 1998–1999 until 2001–2002. Over four winters, 244 aerial locations, 522 ground-based telemetry 1287 km movement snow tracking, locations 279 kill sites recorded. There was evidence that elk (Cervus elaphus) bison (Bison bison) densities had weak effect on where wolves traveled made kills. movements showed strong geothermal areas, meadows, areas near various types habitat edges. Proximity edge class also most vulnerable predation. little differed places traveled, indicating vulnerability influenced selected travel. Our results indicate are more under certain conditions capable selecting conditions. As such, plays central role behavioral games potentially impact which they relate.