Patterns of spatiotemporal activity of an alien lagomorph inferred through camera-trapping

摘要: Assessing wildlife activity rhythms is crucial to design effective management programmes for invasive alien species. Among the most widespread mammals in Italy, Eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus has been introduced from North America hunting purposes and it now very common Northern Central regions. In this study, we conducted a camera-trapping survey determine seasonal patterns of small lagomorph as well overlap temporal with its main mammal predators. cottontails were mostly crepuscular nocturnal throughout year. Inter-seasonal overlaps always lower than 75%, was linked photoperiod. The bimodal activity, significant peaks at dawn dusk, may represent an adaptation species limit encounters predators, i.e. red foxes Vulpes vulpes stray cats Felis catus our study area. Although increased during first hours daylight mating season, temperature seems be not correlated activity. Cottontails responded predation risk on bright moonlight nights, when active, by significantly reducing their full moon year every single season. Conversely, spatial between predators high. We suggest that individual counts direct removal methods (i.e. firearms or trapping) should carried out probability spot active highest.