Activity and overlap among birds and mammals scavenging a bison carcass in shortgrass prairie

摘要: Abstract Bison serve as keystone species in prairie ecosystems of North America, yet few studies have evaluated the effects bison carcasses on other animals. To determine which forage and whether such catalyze intraspecific interspecific interactions, we used wildlife cameras to observe scavenger visits activity over a 6-wk period following death an adult female from conservation herd northern Colorado. We captured more than 45 000 photos avian mammalian scavengers. Photos most often included coyote (51% photos) common raven (50%), followed by black-billed magpie (14%) golden eagle (0.11%). Most (86%) individuals same (intraspecific activity) visiting carcass, while 14% had two or different (interspecific at carcass simultaneously. The photographed together (64%), (25%) (7%). Less 1% dominance behaviors among individuals. Our study demonstrates that potential provide key food resources winter for shortgrass role supporting grassland animal communities is likely become increasingly important efforts gain momentum restore across their historic range America.