Nocturnal light-specific temporal partitioning facilitates coexistence for a small mesopredator, the eastern spotted skunk
Journal of Ethology
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Abstract
Eastern spotted skunks are of conservation concern where competition and predation are a possible cause of their decline. Using camera traps at a food subsidy, we investigated nocturnal temporal overlap of spotted skunks with co-occurring predators. Spotted skunks were more active during dark nights, when their activity overlapped with the largest predator (coyotes), but not with other mesopredators, thus possibly avoiding interspecific competition. Spotted skunk activity shifted during moonlit nights where overlap with all predators reduced, suggesting avoidance of both predators and competitors. This implies that both predation and interspecific competition could limit spotted skunk populations, and one mechanism they apply to coexist is nocturnal light-specific temporal partitioning.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Nocturnal light-specific temporal partitioning facilitates coexistence for a small mesopredator, the eastern spotted skunk |
| Series title | Journal of Ethology |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10164-021-00743-w |
| Year Published | 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Contributing office(s) | Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center |
| Description | 6 p. |
| First page | 1 |
| Last page | 6 |
| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Grant County, Pendleton County |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |