Evolutionary predators to avoid each other

How do predators in America avoid competing for meals, or become meals for each other?

The answer comes from a new study by two researchers at the University of California, Davis. Their large-scale analysis shows that species that avoid each other are not accidental, but the avoidance strategy is an essential part of the evolution of many predators, affecting the like an animal that works at night or during the day, lives in the forest or on ancient copper, on trees or on the ground.

America is home to more than 80 terrestrial predators, including cats, dogs, bears, ferrets, and North American pandas. Normally, 20 or more species can live in the same area.

Jennifer Hunter, an ecology research project at the doctoral level, said: 'In most places, these animals share prey - other animals - that is to include themselves.

Hunter and co-author Tim Caro, professor of wildlife and conservation biology, built a known electronic boundary map system of American carnivores. Assuming that wherever this boundary overlaps, competition and hunting between carnivores is possible, the two researchers compared traits of behavior and size. body and color of these animals. By analyzing a large amount of information, they were able to come up with the basic strategies of each species.

A new study found that unlike small carnivores, weasels have no strategy to avoid predators. Instead, their black and white colors warn other animals to stay away. (Photo: Jennifer Hunter / UC Davis)

For example, their map shows bears and dogs sharing territory with the largest number of competitors. Most of these species are omnivores, thus reducing competition for meat.

They are ferrets, although small, are at risk of becoming the lowest, because most live on trees.

One of the most surprising findings, Hunter says, is the smallest predator, skunk, along with some other weasels, with no escape strategy. 'When you look at ecological charts, they are the animals that share the most space with predators.'

How did these animals survive? All skunks and some other weasels have faces or bodies with a clear line between white and black. For skunks, the opposite color is a warning signal to other predators about their poisonous gas, while for some other weasels it is a sign of ferocity.

This study provides evidence of the evolution of these behaviors, formed from the reality of wild life.

The study is published in the December issue of Ethology, Ecology and Evolution magazine. The National Science Foundation funded a part of the research.

Refer:
1. Hunter J. and Caro T. Interspecific competition and American predation carnivore families.Ethology, Ecology and Evolution, 2008;20 (4): 295-324