Biology subjects

Binder, W.

Publications and source records attributed to Binder, W..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Prey age modifies risk-taking behavior in a multi-predator environment

Many species of animals undergo senescence, impacting predator-prey relationships, yet how senescing prey adjust their risk-taking behavior is poorly understood. We used integrated step selection analysis to quantify risk-taking from empirical data. A graphical framework of age-dependent adaptive risk-taking predicted - and our empirical analysis found - a reduction in female elk (Cervus canadensis) risk-taking with age toward wolves (Canis lupus) but not cougars (Puma concolor), underscoring the role of predator hunting mode in ecological dynamics. We estimated average risk-taking toward wolves would be 42% lower in a population with median age 10 versus 4 years, highlighting how a prey populations age structure likely impacts risk-induced trait responses and the potential emergence of predation-risk effects. Our findings suggest that altered risk-taking may be an adaptive behavioral shift rather than a passive consequence of physical decline. Such adaptive changes to risk-taking may represent an underappreciated link between individual behavior and community-level coexistence.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2024

Species-specific interactions with apex carnivores yield unique benefits and burdens for mesocarnivores

Mesocarnivores navigate a complex risk-reward continuum in ecosystems shared with their apex counterparts, balancing scavenging opportunities with risks of mortality. However, the risks to mesocarnivores in multi-carnivore systems are not uniform--often varying with specific apex-meso pairings. Using camera traps and GPS-telemetry, we examined space-use, temporal activity, fine-scale interactions, and scavenging behavior of apex (wolves, cougars) and mesocarnivores (red foxes, coyotes) in northern Yellowstone National Park, USA. Coyote space use was positively linked to wolf presence, while red fox space use was positively linked to cougar presence. Notably, photo-detection rates of mesocarnivores doubled within 24 hours of apex carnivore detections--except for coyotes following cougars. Coyotes were more frequent scavengers at wolf and cougar kills than red foxes, but they also suffered the highest mortality rates. Over 60% of wolf caused coyote mortalities were linked to wolf kill-sites, though wolves rarely consumed the coyotes themselves. In contrast, cougars hunted and consumed coyotes as prey, posing an additional risk of predation. These findings highlight how divergent hunting strategies and habitat preferences between canid and felid apex carnivores create separate risks for mesocarnivores. Our study offers new insights into the species-specific behavioral dynamics that can shape trophic interactions in multi-carnivore systems.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2020

Biogeographical and ecological factors associated with kill rates of an apex predator

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWKill rates and functional responses are fundamental to the study of predator ecology and the understanding of predatory-prey dynamics. As the most widely distributed apex predator in the western hemisphere pumas (Puma concolor) have been widely studied yet a biogeographical synthesis of their kill rates is currently lacking. We reviewed the literature and compiled data on sex- and age-specific kill rate estimates of pumas on ungulates, and conducted analyses aimed at understanding ecological factors explaining the observed variation across their range. Kill rate studies on pumas, while numerous, were primarily conducted in Temperate Conifer Forests (< 10% of puma range), revealing a dearth of knowledge across much of their range, especially from tropical and subtropical habitats. Across studies, kill rates in ungulates/week were highest for adult females with kitten(s) (1.24 {+/-} 0.41 ungulates/week) but did not vary significantly between adult males (0.84 {+/-} 0.18) and solitary adult females (0.99 {+/-} 0.26). Kill rates in kg/day did not differ significantly among reproductive classes. Kill rates of adult pumas increased with ungulate density. Ungulate species richness had a weak negative association with adult male kill rates. Neither scavenger richness, the proportion of non-ungulate prey in the diet, nor regional human population density had a significant effect on ungulate kill rates. Our results had a strong temperate-ecosystem bias highlighting the need for further research across the diverse biomes pumas occupy in order to make species level inferences. Data from more populations would also allow for multivariate analyses providing deeper inference into the ecological and behavioural factors driving kill rates and functional responses of pumas, and apex predators in general.

ecology↗