IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Dalerum, F.; Belton, L. | |
| African ungulates recognize a locally extinct predator | |
| 2015 Behavioral Ecology: 215-222 | |
Large carnivores are important ecosystem components but frequently suffer local extinctions. However, reintroductions and shifting conservation attitudes have lead to some population repatriations. Since the ecological consequences of predation may relate to indirect effects of predation risk, reconstruction of carnivore ecosystem function could depend on adequate predator recognition by prey. We evaluated behavioral responses in naive and lion exposed impala (_Aepyceros melampus_), blue wildebeest (_Connochaetes taurinus_), and warthogs (_Phacochoerus africanus_) to audi calls of native (African lion _Panthera leo_) and an alien (grey wolf _Canis lupus_) predator as well as to unfamiliar (music) and familiar (running water) neutral controls. Our results demonstrated stronger behavioral responses to lions than to any of the other calls, even in naive populations, and suggest that retained predator recognition may enable rapid reconstruction of carnivore ecosystem function throughout Africa. However, since recognition may be lost in large increments, we urge that carnivore repatriations should be a prioritized component of African ecosystem conservation. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |