Golden jackal as a new kleptoparasite for Eurasian lynx in Europe
The arrival of a new carnivore can have important effects on local communities. While several effects of introduced alien species have been well documented, few studies have reported the ecological consequences of an expanding native species. Golden jackals (Canis aureus) are rapidly expanding their...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Global Ecology and Conservation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989422001184 |
| _version_ | 1828365761948680192 |
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| author | Miha Krofel Lan Hočevar Urša Fležar Ira Topličanec Teresa Oliveira |
| author_facet | Miha Krofel Lan Hočevar Urša Fležar Ira Topličanec Teresa Oliveira |
| author_sort | Miha Krofel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The arrival of a new carnivore can have important effects on local communities. While several effects of introduced alien species have been well documented, few studies have reported the ecological consequences of an expanding native species. Golden jackals (Canis aureus) are rapidly expanding their distribution in Europe, far beyond their historic range. While this raises many concerns about their potential impact on native wildlife, actual consequences are rarely recorded. Besides being a predator, the jackal is also an efficient scavenger and could function as a kleptoparasite for other predators living in areas colonized by jackals. Large felids are among the predators most vulnerable to kleptoparasitism and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) are already known to be negatively affected by several scavengers. Here we report on the first confirmed cases of jackals scavenging on lynx kills in the Dinaric Mountains, Slovenia. We used camera traps to monitor scavengers at 65 lynx kills and recorded two cases of groups of jackals feeding on roe deer killed by lynx. To determine the potential for jackal kleptoparasitism on lynx at the continental level, we also calculated trends in the overlap in distribution ranges of both species in Europe. To date, jackals have colonized 13% of lynx range, including parts of two highly threatened populations. Finally, we highlight the potential impact of sympatric grey wolves (Canis lupus) to modulate this newly described jackal-lynx kleptoparasitic interaction. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T05:35:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2f7e46f2841f42899172b86b7bb8130d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2351-9894 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T05:35:24Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Global Ecology and Conservation |
| spelling | doaj.art-2f7e46f2841f42899172b86b7bb8130d2022-12-22T02:09:39ZengElsevierGlobal Ecology and Conservation2351-98942022-08-0136e02116Golden jackal as a new kleptoparasite for Eurasian lynx in EuropeMiha Krofel0Lan Hočevar1Urša Fležar2Ira Topličanec3Teresa Oliveira4Department of Forestry, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 83, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Corresponding author.Department of Forestry, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 83, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaDepartment of Forestry, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 83, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaVeterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova ulica 55, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Forestry, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 83, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaThe arrival of a new carnivore can have important effects on local communities. While several effects of introduced alien species have been well documented, few studies have reported the ecological consequences of an expanding native species. Golden jackals (Canis aureus) are rapidly expanding their distribution in Europe, far beyond their historic range. While this raises many concerns about their potential impact on native wildlife, actual consequences are rarely recorded. Besides being a predator, the jackal is also an efficient scavenger and could function as a kleptoparasite for other predators living in areas colonized by jackals. Large felids are among the predators most vulnerable to kleptoparasitism and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) are already known to be negatively affected by several scavengers. Here we report on the first confirmed cases of jackals scavenging on lynx kills in the Dinaric Mountains, Slovenia. We used camera traps to monitor scavengers at 65 lynx kills and recorded two cases of groups of jackals feeding on roe deer killed by lynx. To determine the potential for jackal kleptoparasitism on lynx at the continental level, we also calculated trends in the overlap in distribution ranges of both species in Europe. To date, jackals have colonized 13% of lynx range, including parts of two highly threatened populations. Finally, we highlight the potential impact of sympatric grey wolves (Canis lupus) to modulate this newly described jackal-lynx kleptoparasitic interaction.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989422001184Canis aureusLynx lynxKleptoparasitismInterspecific interactionsScavenging |
| spellingShingle | Miha Krofel Lan Hočevar Urša Fležar Ira Topličanec Teresa Oliveira Golden jackal as a new kleptoparasite for Eurasian lynx in Europe Global Ecology and Conservation Canis aureus Lynx lynx Kleptoparasitism Interspecific interactions Scavenging |
| title | Golden jackal as a new kleptoparasite for Eurasian lynx in Europe |
| title_full | Golden jackal as a new kleptoparasite for Eurasian lynx in Europe |
| title_fullStr | Golden jackal as a new kleptoparasite for Eurasian lynx in Europe |
| title_full_unstemmed | Golden jackal as a new kleptoparasite for Eurasian lynx in Europe |
| title_short | Golden jackal as a new kleptoparasite for Eurasian lynx in Europe |
| title_sort | golden jackal as a new kleptoparasite for eurasian lynx in europe |
| topic | Canis aureus Lynx lynx Kleptoparasitism Interspecific interactions Scavenging |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989422001184 |
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