Does a top predator reduce the predatory impact of an invasive mesopredator on an endangered rodent

摘要: The mesopredator release hypothesis (MRH) predicts that reduced abundance of top-order predators results in an increase the smaller (mesopredators) due to a reduction intra-guild predation and competition. irruption mesopredators follows removal can have detrimental impacts on prey mesopredators. Here we investigated mechanisms via which presence predator benefit species. We tested predictions made according MRH foraging theory by contrasting abundances invasive (red fox Vulpes vulpes) endangered species (dusky hopping mouse Notomys fuscus), diets, N. fuscus behaviour absence top-predator (dingo Canis lupus dingo). As predicted MRH, foxes were more abundant where dingoes absent. Dietary overlap between sympatric was extensive, recorded 1 dingo scat possibly indicating predation. likely occur scats than as less dingoes. population following rainfall dampened suggesting attenuate bottom-up effects, although it remains conceivable differences grazing regimes associated with exclusion could also influenced abundance. exhibited lower giving-up densities dingoes, consistent prediction their perceived risk would be efficiency greater top-predator. Our suggest suppression top create safer environment for frequency fatal encounters is non-consumptive effects are lower.