Intraguild predator drives forest edge avoidance of a mesopredator

摘要: Interactions between top predators and mesopredators of the same guild often result in habitat segregation restricting interactions to shared edges. Although negative edge effects are recognized as important spatial patterns ecology fragmented landscapes, underlying mechanisms predator–prey resulting remain unknown. To disentangle top-down intraguild bottom-up resources on mesopredator distribution, we recorded occurrence tawny owls Strix aluco forests their prey, little owl Athene noctua adjacent open areas over 2 yr across 687 km2 Southern Germany. We developed a new, asymmetrical dynamic two-species occupancy model investigating while accounting for imperfect detection. Little was strongly reduced within 150 m forests, but only presence owls. Analysis 30 000 telemetry locations 275 showed that avoided closer than from forest during range use. These results suggest effect is due avoidance rather direct predation. Potential confounding such food depletion or at edges can be ruled out. Thus, caused by shape distribution owl. While complexity mitigates multitrophic habitats, it expected reinforce potentially leading suppression suitable habitats.