Prey Selection of Scandinavian Wolves: Single Large or Several Small?

摘要: Research on large predator-prey interactions are often limited to the predators' primary prey, with potential for prey switching in systems multiple ungulate species rarely investigated. We evaluated wolf (Canis lupus) selection at two different spatial scales, i.e., inter- and intra-territorial, using data from 409 wolf-kills an expanding population Scandinavia. This expansion includes a change one-prey into two-prey system variable densities of one large-sized ungulate; moose (Alces alces) small-sized roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Among territories, proportion kills was related both pack size density, but not density. Pairs wolves killed higher than did packs, switched kill more as their density increased above 1:1 ratio relation availability species. At intra-territorial level, again responded changes whereas we found no effect snow depth, time during winter, or other predator-related factors wolves' choice deer. Moose only weakly selection. Our results show that functional response moose, hitherto considered main strongly dependent smaller, alternative, prey. The impact predation community is therefore likely composition multi-prey along geographical population.