Interspecific effects of invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) on native nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus)

Journal of Mammalogy
By: , and 

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Abstract

Biological invasions pose significant risks to ecosystems and native species. Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are a highly detrimental invasive species in North America, directly and indirectly affecting native species. Co-occurrence of wild pigs and native species may lead to interspecific interactions that alter ecological communities. Accordingly, we investigated spatial and temporal factors influencing detection and occupancy of Eurasian Wild Pig and Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) before examining interspecific effects. We analyzed camera-trap data collected from August to September 2021 using a hierarchical modeling framework to estimate detection and occupancy of both species individually (single-species analyses) and concurrently (conditional co-occurrence analyses). We observed higher Wild Pig detection rates and space use in late summer and in areas with greater riparian cover, respectively. Armadillo detection increased linearly throughout our sampling season and in response to precipitation. Moreover, armadillo detection was 3.5 to 5.1× higher at sites used by wild pigs, regardless of whether wild pigs were detected during a survey period. Occupancy of armadillo was best explained by a quadratic trend in site elevation but did not depend on the presence of wild pigs. Our results indicate that wild pigs may influence armadillo detection (or site-use intensity), but not occupancy, therefore revealing nuanced interspecific interactions. Between species, we observed high overlap in diel activity but significantly different activity peaks, with armadillos being strictly nocturnal and wild pigs being crepuscular but with more cathemeral activity, suggesting that fine-scale temporal partitioning may have occurred. Our results provide insights into the influence of a large-bodied and destructive invasive species (Wild Pig) on a smaller, ecologically important native species (Nine-banded Armadillo).

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Interspecific effects of invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) on native nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus)
Series title Journal of Mammalogy
DOI 10.1093/jmammal/gyaf023
Volume 106
Issue 4
Publication Date April 21, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Oxford Academic
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Atlanta
Description 13 p.
First page 976
Last page 988
Country United States
State Oklahoma
Other Geospatial James Collins Wildlife Management Area, Sans Bois Wildlife Management Area, southeast Oklahoma
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