Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
John A. Erwin, Kenneth A. Logan, Daryl R. Trumbo, W. Chris Funk, Melanie Culver
Summary: This study investigated the effects of hunting on reproduction and genetic diversity in a puma population. The presence of hunting reduced the age of male breeders and decreased the number of unique fathers siring litters. Hunting also increased relatedness among males and decreased relatedness among females in the population, as well as decreased genetic diversity.
Article
Ecology
Maximilian L. Allen, L. Mark Elbroch, Heiko U. Wittmer
Summary: Interactions between apex predators and dominant scavengers, such as kleptoparasitism by American black bears on puma kills, can have significant effects on the foraging behavior and energetics of the apex predators. The study found that black bears were the most frequent scavenger of puma kills, leading to pumas spending less time at their kill sites and experiencing energetic losses, which in turn influenced their inter-kill intervals and kill rates. The results highlight the importance of understanding interspecific interactions in ecological communities and how dominant scavengers can impact apex predator dynamics.
BASIC AND APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Maximilian L. Allen, Heiko U. Wittmer, Emmarie P. Alexander, Christopher C. Wilmers
Summary: This study found that the frequency of communication behaviors in pumas significantly changed over time. Kittens exhibited olfactory investigation more frequently as they aged, but generally did not exhibit scent marking behaviors.
Review
Zoology
Bogdan Cristescu, L. Mark Elbroch, Justin A. Dellinger, Wesley Binder, Christopher C. Wilmers, Heiko U. Wittmer
Summary: This study reviewed the literature on kill rates of pumas on ungulates and conducted analyses to understand the factors influencing spatial variation. The results showed that adult female pumas had the highest kill rates, while adult males and solitary females had lower kill rates. The kill rates of pumas increased with ungulate density, but were not significantly affected by other factors such as scavenger richness and human population density.
Article
Environmental Sciences
L. Mark Elbroch, Nicolas Lagos, Jorge Cardenas, Dania Goic, Rodrigo Moraga, Omar Ohrens
Summary: Monitoring wildlife populations is crucial for conservation, but it is expensive and lacks baseline data. This study explored the potential of using ordinary people's observations to determine individual pumas in southern Patagonia. The participants performed well, and a dataset was built, providing important conservation data for the Torres del Paine UNESCO Biosphere in southern Chile.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
John F. Benson, Kyle D. Dougherty, Paul Beier, Walter M. Boyce, Bogdan Cristescu, Daniel J. Gammons, David K. Garcelon, J. Mark Higley, Quinton E. Martins, Anna C. Nisi, Seth P. D. Riley, Jeff A. Sikich, Thomas R. Stephenson, T. Winston Vickers, Greta M. Wengert, Christopher C. Wilmers, Heiko U. Wittmer, Justin A. Dellinger
Summary: Mitigating human-caused mortality for large carnivores is a global challenge for wildlife conservation. This study quantified mortality for mountain lions in California and found that human-caused mortality, mainly from conflict management and vehicles, exceeded natural mortality. It also revealed that human-caused mortality is additive to natural mortality and can reduce population-level survival even when mountain lions are protected from hunting.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
F. C. Azevedo, F. G. Lemos, M. C. Freitas-Junior, R. C. Arrais, R. G. Morato, F. C. C. Azevedo
Summary: The study in a disturbed landscape in Southeast Brazil revealed that pumas have a strong habitat association with forest vegetation and pasture with shrubs, especially during night hours. The research fills a knowledge gap in the ecology of pumas in anthropized tropical environments and emphasizes the importance of natural habitat patches to the species.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Veronica Yovovich, Nathaniel Robinson, Hugh Robinson, Michael J. Manfredo, Shelby Perry, Jeremy T. Bruskotter, John A. Vucetich, Luis Anibal Solorzano, Lydia A. Roe, Alison Lesure, Jamie Robertson, Tom Bulter, L. Mark Elbroch
Summary: This study identified 17 areas in the Upper Midwest, Ozarks, Appalachia, and New England that could potentially host puma populations in the future. Thirteen of these areas were large enough to ensure the long-term genetic health of the puma population. The study also considered factors such as patch size, human and livestock density, percent public land, and sociocultural values, providing valuable information for puma management and restoration in the East.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mitchell W. Serota, Pablo A. E. Alarcon, Emiliano Donadio, Arthur D. Middleton
Summary: The loss of terrestrial predators, such as pumas, in Patagonia has resulted in the expansion of Magellanic penguin colonies along the Atlantic coast of Argentina. Surprisingly, recent wildlife conservation efforts have revealed a predator-prey relationship between pumas and penguins. Camera trap observations in Monte Le & PRIME;on National Park showed frequent puma predation on penguins, highlighting the strong ecological linkage between marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rebecca J. Foster, Bail J. Harmsen
Summary: Prey remains found in carnivore scats can provide insights into the general dietary profiles of sampled populations. However, potential biases may arise if individual diets vary and some individuals are over- or under-represented in the sample. Quantifying individual contributions can help recognize these biases and better interpret the generalized profiles. Understanding the dietary differences or similarities between individuals is important for understanding selection pressures and identifying factors that influence distribution and abundance.
Article
Ecology
Anna C. Nisi, John F. Benson, Christopher C. Wilmers
Summary: Animals' fear of people is a common phenomenon and can sometimes reduce the risk of being killed by humans, promoting coexistence in human-dominated environments. However, humans can be unpredictable predators, and the cues that animals perceive may not accurately indicate the risk of mortality. This can lead to ineffective fear responses by animals and even increase the risk of human-induced mortality.
Article
Ecology
Francisco J. Molina, Justine A. Smith, Emiliano Donadio, Arthur D. Middleton, Jonathan N. Pauli, Jacob R. Goheen
Summary: Prey often modify their antipredator behaviors to balance food acquisition and safety. This study tested the starvation-predation hypothesis and its impact on kill rates in a prey-predator system. The results showed that vicunas decreased their avoidance of canyons and increased selection for meadows during periods of food scarcity, but this change in antipredator behavior did not result in increased kill rates by pumas. These findings contribute to our understanding of the complex dynamics between food limitation and predator-prey interactions within ecosystems.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Florent Bled, Michael J. Cherry, Elina P. Garrison, Karl Miller, L. Mike Conner, Heather N. Abernathy, W. Hunter Ellsworth, Lydia L. S. Margenau, Daniel A. Crawford, Kristin N. Engebretsen, Brian D. Kelly, David B. Shindle, Richard B. Chandler
Summary: Large carnivore restoration programs, like the Florida panther restoration program in South Florida, can have significant impacts on prey populations such as the white-tailed deer. Panther predation was found to be the primary cause of death for deer, with the predation rate being much higher after the restoration effort. Increasing water depth had a negative impact on female deer survival, but drowning was not a common cause of mortality. It will be challenging to balance the competing demands of predator restoration and sustainable deer harvest.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Taylor R. Ganz, Melia T. DeVivo, Brian N. Kertson, Trent Roussin, Lauren Satterfield, Aaron J. Wirsing, Laura R. Prugh
Summary: Wildfires, climate change and fire suppression are causing an increase in wildfire severity, frequency and size. The impact of these wildfires on wildlife, particularly ungulates, remains unresolved. Fire can improve forage for ungulates but also increase vulnerability to predation in winter. The behavior of ungulates in response to wildfires may be influenced by the hunting mode of resident predators. A study in northern Washington, USA, found that mule deer generally selected burned areas in summer but avoided burns in winter. The use of burned areas by deer was influenced by the presence and activity of wolf and cougar predators. These findings suggest that the impact of wildfires on ungulates depends on trade-offs between summer forage and reduced winter range mediated by predator community characteristics.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Nick Bradsworth, John G. White, Anthony R. Rendall, Nicholas Carter, Desley A. Whisson, Raylene Cooke
Summary: As human activities continue to modify landscapes, understanding wildlife habitat requirements becomes crucial. In this study, we investigated the space use and habitat requirements of the threatened powerful owl in Greater Melbourne. Our findings showed that tree cover and urban land cover influenced the owls' home range size and positioning, with core ranges restricted to treed environments with limited impervious surfaces and housing. Using thresholds, we identified three priorities for powerful owl conservation in Melbourne.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Jonathan N. Pauli, Wynne E. Moss, Philip J. Manlick, Emily D. Fountain, Rebecca Kirby, Sean M. Sultaire, Paula L. Perrig, Jorge E. Mendoza, John W. Pokallus, Timothy H. Heaton
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2015)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Wynne E. Moss, Mathew W. Alldredge, Jonathan N. Pauli
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Carol Eunmi Lee, Wynne E. Moss, Nora Olson, Kevin Fongching Chau, Yu-Mei Chang, Kelsey E. Johnson
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2013)
Article
Ecology
Jenna E. Carlson, Jonathan H. Gilbert, John W. Pokallus, Philip J. Manlick, Wynne E. Moss, Jonathan N. Pauli
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2014)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Wynne E. Moss, M. Zachariah Peery, Gustavo A. Gutierrez-Espeleta, Christopher Vaughan, Geovanny Herrera, Jonathan N. Pauli
CONSERVATION GENETICS RESOURCES
(2012)
Article
Biology
Travis McDevitt-Galles, Wynne E. Moss, Dana M. Calhoun, Pieter T. J. Johnson
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Wynne E. Moss, Travis McDevitt-Galles, Dana M. Calhoun, Pieter T. J. Johnson
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Pieter Johnson, Dana M. Calhoun, Wynne E. Moss, Travis McDevitt-Galles, Tawni B. Riepe, Joshua M. Hallas, Thomas L. Parchman, Chris R. Feldman, Tyler J. Achatz, Vasyl V. Tkach, Josh Cropanzano, Jay Bowerman, Janet Koprivnikar
Summary: This study found that local adaptation of the trematode parasites to their amphibian hosts varied depending on the dispersal abilities of the parasites, with Paralechriorchis syntomentera being affected by geographic distance while Ribeiroia ondatrae was not. The differences in local adaptation corresponded to the genetic structure of the parasites, with P. syntomentera populations exhibiting greater genetic divergence compared to R. ondatrae populations.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Brendan K. Hobart, Wynne E. Moss, Travis McDevitt-Galles, Tara E. Stewart Merrill, Pieter T. J. Johnson
Summary: Predation on parasites is a common interaction with multiple outcomes. The transmission mode of parasites affects predator-parasite interactions. Chaetogaster predation can either limit or increase snail infection by trematodes, depending on the transmission mode of the parasite.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Wynne E. Moss, Travis McDevitt-Galles, Erin Muths, Steven Bobzien, Jessica Purificato, Pieter T. J. Johnson
Summary: The study found that drought resulted in substantial habitat loss for amphibians in the Bay Area of California, with almost every species exhibiting reduced breeding activity during the drought. Invasive species and bullfrogs were associated with reduced amphibian occupancy, suggesting that drought may offer an opportunity to remove invaders. Despite a historic multi-year drought, native amphibians quickly rebounded to pre-drought occupancy levels, demonstrating evidence of resilience.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Wynne E. Moss, Lynsey R. Harper, Mark A. Davis, Caren S. Goldberg, Matthew M. Smith, Pieter T. J. Johnson
Summary: Efficient and accurate biodiversity monitoring is necessary for globally imperiled taxa. Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis has the potential to enhance monitoring programs, but its benefits and limitations need to be understood. A comparative study evaluated the efficacy of two eDNA methodologies and conventional field sampling approaches in ponds containing six amphibian species. The results showed that both eDNA methods were competitive with or improved upon traditional methods. Further optimization and validation are needed for eDNA approaches to be effectively paired with visual encounter surveys for detecting terrestrial life stages.
Article
Ecology
Daijiang Li, Sydne Record, Eric R. Sokol, Matthew E. Bitters, Melissa Y. Chen, Y. Anny Chung, Matthew R. Helmus, Ruvi Jaimes, Lara Jansen, Marta A. Jarzyna, Michael G. Just, Jalene M. LaMontagne, Brett A. Melbourne, Wynne Moss, Kari E. A. Noman, Stephanie M. Parker, Natalie Robinson, Bijan Seyednasroliah, Colin Smith, Sarah Spaulding, Thilina D. Surasinghe, Sarah K. Thomsen, Phoebe L. Zarnetske
Summary: Understanding patterns and drivers of species distribution and abundance is crucial for ecology research. However, the lack of standardized, high-quality data that cover large spatial scales and long time periods restricts current research. NEON provides freely available observational data generated from consistent sampling at 81 sites across the United States for at least 30 years. This data resource is valuable for advancing biodiversity research, but it is essential to ensure its accessibility and integration into researchers' workflows. To address this, a workflow and standardized data package have been developed, allowing for the use of NEON organismal data in biodiversity research.
Article
Ecology
Travis McDevitt-Galles, Wynne E. E. Moss, Dana M. M. Calhoun, Cheryl J. J. Briggs, Pieter T. J. Johnson
Summary: Native amphibian species in California have experienced a decline in population size and geographic range over the past century. This study investigates the impacts of habitat loss, infectious disease, invasive species, and extreme weather events like drought on amphibian population dynamics. The findings indicate that the breeding activities of the two studied species were highly affected by drought severity, but they showed recovery as drought conditions eased. Invasive species and bullfrogs negatively affected the occurrence and density of the native species, and the relationship between a fungal infection and one of the species was influenced by drought conditions.
FRESHWATER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Imtiaz Rangwala, Wynne Moss, Jane Wolken, Renee Rondeau, Karen Newlon, John Guinotte, William Riebsame Travis
Summary: This paper discusses the challenges of assessing the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and species, emphasizing the uncertainties, complexities, and constraints associated with applying climate projections. It highlights the importance of incorporating extreme climate events and stochastic tendencies in assessing ecological impacts and transformations. The recommendation is to integrate quantitative modeling with expert elicitation and experiential understanding to develop a more robust understanding of ecological responses under different scenarios of future climate change.