Habitat selection and segregation by two sympatric lagomorphs: the case of European hares (Lepus europaeus) and Eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus) in northern Italy

• Autorzy: Vidus-Rosin A. , Lizier L. , Meriggi A. , Serrano-Perez S.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

In northern Italy, the native European hare (Lepus europaeus) and the introduced Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) can occur together at a local scale, as a result of cottontail introduction and expansion into the European hare range. Hare populations are limited in Italy by habitat loss, diseases, and most important by overhunting, and many areas within hare range in northern Italy are undergoing increasing anthropogenic impact. Therefore, quantitative studies on resource selection and exploitation by both species will be of great interest to evaluate the degree of habitat overlap and to search for exploitation competition evidences. We studied habitat selection during resting time by both species in two areas where they occur alone and in one area where they occur together. Habitat selection by the two species was examined at micro- and macro-habitat scales during autumn–winter and spring–summer. Both species selected ecotonal zones between arboriculture stands and crops and between arboriculture stands and spontaneous vegetation (i.e., herbaceous, bush, and woody permanent species), which were the less available in the area of sympatry. No habitat shifts were evident at macro-habitat level because the two species showed a differential micro-habitat use within patches. On the whole, it seems that habitat heterogeneity promoted daytime segregation between the two species. In particular, edges between crops and canopy habitats should be improved, thus reducing chance of intra- and inter-specific encounters.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

habitat selection; segregation; sympatric species; lagomorph; European hare; hare; Lepus europaeus; Eastern cottontail; Sylvilagus floridanus; rabbit; Italy

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Theriologica
• Rocznik: 2012
• Tom: 57
• Numer: 4
• Opis fizyczny: p.295-304,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Vidus-Rosin A.

• Department of Animal Biology, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy

autor

Lizier L.

• Department of Animal Biology, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy

autor

Meriggi A.

• Department of Animal Biology, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy

autor

Serrano-Perez S.

• Department of Animal Biology, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy

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