Factors influencing scavenger guilds and scavenging efficiency in Southwestern Montana.

摘要: Scavenging of carrion shapes ecological landscapes by influencing scavenger population demography, increasing inter- and intra-specific interactions, generating ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling disease moderation. Previous research found the cues promoting, or constraints limiting, an individual’s propensity ability to scavenge vary widely, depending on anthropogenic environmental factors. Here we investigated differences in scavenging patterns a complex guild Southwestern Montana. We used camera traps established at 13 carcass sites monitor detection, visitation, consumption times, during 2016–2018 generalized linear models explore influence characteristics, habitat features, seasonality, selection efficiency. that species diversity was higher elevations grassland habitats. efficiency influenced inter alia distance water, elevation. most via facultative scavengers (bears, wolves, magpies, Corvus spp.) rather than turkey vultures, only obligate study area. However, growing populations vultures may lead increased competition with over carrion, could have cascading effects food webs this ecosystem.