Lions and leopards coexist without spatial, temporal or demographic effects of interspecific competition

摘要: Although interspecific competition plays a principal role in shaping species behaviour and demography, little is known about the population-level outcomes of between large carnivores, mechanisms that facilitate coexistence. We conducted multilandscape analysis two widely distributed, threatened carnivore competitors to offer insight into coexistence strategies assist with species-level conservation. evaluated how interference affects occupancy, temporal activity population density dominant competitor, lion (Panthera leo), its subordinate leopard pardus). collected camera-trap data over 3 years 10 study sites covering 5,070 km2 . used multispecies occupancy modelling assess spatial responses varying environmental prey conditions competitor presence, examined overlap relationship densities across years. Results showed both was independent of-rather than conditional on-their competitor's presence all covariates. Marginal probability for higher areas more bushy, "hideable" habitat, human (tourist) topographic ruggedness, whereas decreased increasing hideable habitat increased abundance very prey. Temporal high there no detectable densities. Lions pose threat survival individual leopards, but they exerted tractable influence on or dynamics. Furthermore, lions did not appear suppress populations, suggesting intraguild can coexist same without decline. Aligned conservation promote functioning ecosystems, rather target species, are therefore advised achieve cost- space-effective