title: Space use of African wild dogs in relation to other large carnivores.
abstract: Interaction among species through competition is a principle process structuring ecological communities, affecting behavior, distribution, and ultimately the population dynamics of species. High competition among large African carnivores, associated with extensive diet overlap, manifests in interactions between subordinate African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) and dominant lions (Panthera leo) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta). Using locations of large carnivores in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa, we found different responses from wild dogs to their two main competitors. Wild dogs avoided lions, particularly during denning, through a combination of spatial and temporal avoidance. However, wild dogs did not exhibit spatial or temporal avoidance of spotted hyenas, likely because wild dog pack sizes were large enough to adequately defend their kills. Understanding that larger carnivores affect the movements and space use of other carnivores is important for managing current small and fragmented carnivore populations, especially as reintroductions and translocations are essential tools used for the survival of endangered species, as with African wild dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Wildlife, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Darnell
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Jan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Graf
authors.affiliation: Centre for Wildlife Management, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Somers
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Slotow
authors.affiliation: Department of Wildlife, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, United States of America; Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Micaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szykman Gunther
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002335:Carnivora; D004285:Dogs; D017753:Ecosystem; D005843:Geography; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D013019:South Africa