Effect of free-ranging dogs and cats on medium-sized wild mammal assemblages in urban protected areas of a Mexican city
Isac Mella-Méndez
A B , Rafael Flores-Peredo A D , Beatriz Bolívar-Cimé A and Guillermo Vázquez-Domínguez C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Laboratorio de Ecología, Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales, Universidad Veracruzana, Parque Ecológico El Haya, Antigua Carretera Xalapa-Coatepec, Xalapa, CP 91070, Veracruz, México.
B Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Dr Luis Castelazo, 91190 Xalapa, CP 91193, Veracruz, México.
C Laboratorio de Ecología Funcional, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua carretera a Pátzcuaro 8701, Morelia, CP 58190, Michoacán, México.
D Corresponding author. Email: peredofr@gmail.com
Wildlife Research 46(8) 669-678 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR19074
Submitted: 13 March 2018 Accepted: 28 July 2019 Published: 4 December 2019
Abstract
Context: Urban protected areas (PAs) are the habitat of several Neotropical medium-sized wild mammal (MSWM) species. However, this richness is seriously threatened by the growing populations of free-ranging dogs and cats in these areas.
Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of free-ranging dogs and cats on the assemblage structure of MSWM in PAs of Xalapa city, Veracruz, Mexico.
Methods: Camera traps were used to assess the effect of abundance and activity of dogs and cats on richness, abundance, dominance and activity of MSWM across two urban and three peri-urban PAs. The effect of plant diversity, vegetation structure and PA on mammal richness, activity and abundance were also evaluated.
Key results: The dominance of MSWM was higher in peri-urban areas than urban areas, and the activity of dogs and cats from peri-urban and urban PAs was similar with wildest MSWM. Only inside urban areas did the size of the area and the dogs’ activity have a negative effect on the richness, activity and abundance of MSWM. Moreover, the activity and abundance of cats also had a negative effect on the activity of MSWM in urban PAs. The presence of dogs affected the latency of appearance of MSWM.
Conclusions: The presence of free-ranging dogs and cats in urban PAs affects MSWM assemblages and their appearance latency.
Implications: The potential harm of free-ranging dogs and cats on the community of MSWM in urban areas is clear, as is the need for increased scientific research to aid in the control of these exotic species in urban landscapes.
Additional keywords: camera traps, invasive species, native species, urban landscapes, vegetation structure.
References
Adams, L. W. (1994). ‘Urban Wildlife Habitats. Minneapolis.’ (University of Minnesota Press: Minneapolis, MD, USA.)Adler, G. H., Arboledo, J. J., and Travi, B. L. (1997). Population dynamics of Didelphis marsupialis in northern Colombia. Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment 32, 7–11.
| Population dynamics of Didelphis marsupialis in northern Colombia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Álvarez-Romero, J. G., Medellín, R. A., Oliveras de Ita, A., Gómez de Silva, H., and Sánchez, O. (2008). ‘Animales exóticos en México: una amenaza para la biodiversidad.’ (Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad, Instituto de Ecología, UNAM, Secretaría del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales: Ciudad de México, México.) [In Spanish.]
Apfelbach, R., Blanchard, C. D., Blanchard, R. J., Hayes, R. A., and Mcgregor, I. S. (2005). The effects of predator odors in mammalian prey species: a review of field and laboratory studies. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 29, 1123–1144.
| The effects of predator odors in mammalian prey species: a review of field and laboratory studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16085312PubMed |
Aranda, S. J. M. (2012). ‘Manual para el rastreo de mamíferos silvestres de México.’ (Comisión Nacional para el Conocimientos y Uso de la Biodiversidad: Ciudad de México, México.) [In Spanish.]
Baker, P. J., and Harris, S. (2007). Urban mammals: what does the future hold? An analysis of the factors affecting patterns of use of residential gardens in Great Britain. Mammal Review 37, 297–315.
| Urban mammals: what does the future hold? An analysis of the factors affecting patterns of use of residential gardens in Great Britain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cafazzo, S., Natoli, E., and Valsecchi, P. (2012). Scent‐marking behaviour in a pack of free‐ranging domestic dogs. Ethology 118, 955–966.
| Scent‐marking behaviour in a pack of free‐ranging domestic dogs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Campos, C. B., Esteves, C. F., Ferraz, K. M. P. M. B., Crawshaw, P. G., and Verdade, L. M. (2007). Diet of free-ranging cats and dogs in a suburban and rural environment, south-eastern Brazil. Journal of Zoology 273, 14–20.
| Diet of free-ranging cats and dogs in a suburban and rural environment, south-eastern Brazil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Capitanachi, C., and Amante, S. (1995). ‘Las áreas verdes urbanas en Xalapa, Veracruz.’ (Instituto de Ecología, A. C., and Universidad Veracruzana: Xalapa, México.) [In Spanish.]
Ceballos, G., and Oliva, G. (2005). ‘Los mamíferos silvestres de México.’ (Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad and Fondo de Cultura Económica: Ciudad de México, México.) [In Spanish.]
CEIG (2013). Sistema de información municipal. Cuadernillos municipales 2016 Xalapa. (Secretaría de Finanzas y Planeación del Estado de Veracruz, Gobierno del Estado: Xalapa, México.) [In Spanish.]
Chupp, A. D., Roder, A. M., Battaglia, L. L., and Pagels, J. F. (2013). A case study of urban and peri-urban mammal communities: implications for the management of National Park Service Areas. Northeastern Naturalist 20, 631–654.
| A case study of urban and peri-urban mammal communities: implications for the management of National Park Service Areas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cortés-Marcial, M., and Briones-Salas, M. (2014). Diversidad, abundancia relativa y patrones de actividad de mamíferos medianos y grandes en una selva seca del Istmo de Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, México. Revista de Biología Tropical 62, 1433–1448.
| Diversidad, abundancia relativa y patrones de actividad de mamíferos medianos y grandes en una selva seca del Istmo de Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, México.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25720178PubMed |
Cruz-Salazar, B., Ruiz-Montoya, L., Navarrete-Gutiérrez, D., and Vázquez, L. B. (2016). Influence of the composition and structure of modified landscapes on abundance of two marsupials during the dry season. Therya 7, 393–406.
| Influence of the composition and structure of modified landscapes on abundance of two marsupials during the dry season.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Doherty, T. S., Glen, A. S., Nimmo, D. G., Ritchie, E. G., and Dickman, C. R. (2016). Invasive predators and global biodiversity loss. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 113, 11261–11265.
| Invasive predators and global biodiversity loss.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27638204PubMed |
Doherty, T. S., Dickman, C. R., Johnson, C. N., Legge, S. M., Ritchie, E. G., and Woinarski, C. Z. J. (2017). Impacts and management of feral cats Felis catus in Australia. Mammal Review 47, 83–97.
| Impacts and management of feral cats Felis catus in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gallina, S., González-Romero, A., and Manson, R. (2008). Mamíferos pequeños y medianos. In ‘Agroecosistemas cafetaleros de Veracruz: biodiversidad, manejo y conservación’. (Eds R. Manson, V. Hernández-Ortíz, S. Gallina and K. Mehltreter.) pp. 161–180. (Instituto de Ecología A. C., INE-SEMARNAT: Xalapa, México.) [In Spanish]
Gallo, T., Fidino, M., Lehrer, E. W., and Magle, S. B. (2017). Mammal diversity and metacommunity dynamics in urban green spaces: implications for urban wildlife conservation. Ecological Applications 27, 2330–2341.
| Mammal diversity and metacommunity dynamics in urban green spaces: implications for urban wildlife conservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28833978PubMed |
García, E. (1981). ‘Modificaciones al sistema de clasificación climática de Köppen (para adaptarlo a las condiciones de la República Mexicana).’ (Instituto de Geografía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México: Ciudad de México, México.) [In Spanish.]
Gehrt, S. D., Wilson, E. C., Brown, J. L., and Anchor, C. (2013). Population ecology of free-roaming cats and interference competition by coyotes in urban parks. PLoS One 8, e75718.
| Population ecology of free-roaming cats and interference competition by coyotes in urban parks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24130746PubMed |
Gentry, A. H. (1982). Patterns of Neotropical plant species diversity. Evolutionary Biology 15, 1–84.
| Patterns of Neotropical plant species diversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
George, S. L., and Crooks, K. R. (2006). Recreation and large mammal activity in an urban nature reserve. Biological Conservation 133, 107–117.
| Recreation and large mammal activity in an urban nature reserve.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gese, E. M., and Ruff, R. L. (1997). Scent-marking by coyotes, Canis latrans: the influence of social and ecological factors. Animal Behaviour 54, 1155–1166.
| Scent-marking by coyotes, Canis latrans: the influence of social and ecological factors.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 9398369PubMed |
Glen, A. S., and Dickman, C. R. (2008). Niche overlap between marsupial and eutherian carnivores: does competition threaten the endangered spotted-tailed quoll? Journal of Applied Ecology 45, 700–707.
| Niche overlap between marsupial and eutherian carnivores: does competition threaten the endangered spotted-tailed quoll?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gotelli, N. J., and Colwell, R. K. (2001). Quantifying biodiversity: procedures and pitfalls in the measurement and comparison of species richness. Ecology Letters 4, 379–391.
| Quantifying biodiversity: procedures and pitfalls in the measurement and comparison of species richness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gotelli, N. J., and Ellison, A. M. (2004). ‘A Primer of Ecological Statistics.’ (Sinauer Asociates: Sunderland, MA, USA.)
Hammitt, W. E., Cole, D. N., and Monz, C. A. (2015). ‘Wildland Recreation: Ecology and Management,’ 3rd edn. (John Wiley & Sons: New York, NY, USA.)
Harrison, R. L. (1992). Toward a theory of inter-refuge corridor design. Conservation Biology 6, 293–295.
| Toward a theory of inter-refuge corridor design.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hernández, R. M. G., and Torres, H. L. (2015). Análisis de dos áreas naturales protegidas en relación con el crecimiento del Área Metropolitana de Xalapa, Veracruz. Investigaciones Geográficas 87, 51–61.
| Análisis de dos áreas naturales protegidas en relación con el crecimiento del Área Metropolitana de Xalapa, Veracruz.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hughes, J., and Macdonald, D. W. (2013). A review of the interactions between free-roaming domestic dogs and wildlife. Biological Conservation 157, 341–351.
| A review of the interactions between free-roaming domestic dogs and wildlife.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Imhoff, M. L., and Tucker, C. J. (2000). The use of multisource satellite and geospatial data to study the effect of urbanization on primary productivity in the United States. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing 38, 2549–2556.
| The use of multisource satellite and geospatial data to study the effect of urbanization on primary productivity in the United States.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
INEGI (2009). Prontuario de información geográfica municipal de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Xalapa, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave. Clave geoestadística 30087. (INEGI: Ciudad de México, México.) [In Spanish.]
INEGI (2015). Panorama sociodemográfico de Veracruz. Encuesta intercensal. (INEGI: Ciudad de México, México.) [In Spanish.]
Lenth, B. E., Knight, R. L., and Brennan, M. E. (2008). The effects of dogs on wildlife communities. Natural Areas Journal 28, 218–227.
| The effects of dogs on wildlife communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lessa, I., Guimarães, T. C. S., Bergallo, H. G., Cunha, A., and Vieira, E. (2016). Domestic dogs in protected areas: a threat to Brazilian mammals? Natureza & Conservação 14, 46–56.
| Domestic dogs in protected areas: a threat to Brazilian mammals?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Liu, Y., Zhang, L., Wei, X., and Xie, P. (2016). Integrating the spatial proximity effect into the assessment of changes in ecosystem services for biodiversity conservation. Ecological Indicators 70, 382–392.
| Integrating the spatial proximity effect into the assessment of changes in ecosystem services for biodiversity conservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Loss, S. R., Will, T., and Marra, P. P. (2013). The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States. Nature Communications 4, 2–7.
| The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Magurran, E. A. (2004). ‘Measuring Biological Diversity.’ (Blackwell Publishing: London, UK.)
Marks, B. K., and Duncan, R. S. (2009). Use of forest edges by free-ranging cats and dogs in an urban forest fragment. Southeastern Naturalist 8, 427–436.
| Use of forest edges by free-ranging cats and dogs in an urban forest fragment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McGuire, B., Olsen, B., Bemis, K. E., and Orantes, D. (2018). Urine marking in male domestic dogs: honest or dishonest? Journal of Zoology 306, 163–170.
| Urine marking in male domestic dogs: honest or dishonest?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McKinney, M. L. (2002). Urbanization, biodiversity, and conservation. Bioscience 52, 883–890.
| Urbanization, biodiversity, and conservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Medellín, R., Azuara, D., Maffei, L., Zarza, H., Bárcenas, H., Cruz, E., Legaria, R., Lira, I., Ramos-Fernández, G., and Ávila, S. (2006). Censos y Monitoreo. In ‘El Jaguar Mexicano en el Siglo XXI: Situación Actual y Manejo’. (Eds C. Chávez and G. Ceballos.) pp. 25–35. (CONABIO-ALIANZA WWF TELCEL-UNAM: Ciudad de México, México.) [In Spanish.]
Medina, M. F., Bonnaud, E., Vidal, E., Tershy, R. B., Zalaveta, S. E., Donlan, C. J., Keitt, S. B., Corre, L. M., Horwarth, V. S., and Nogales, M. (2011). A global review of the impacts of invasive cats on island endangered vertebrates. Global Change Biology 17, 3503–3510.
| A global review of the impacts of invasive cats on island endangered vertebrates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Monroy-Vilchis, O., Zarco-González, M., Rodríguez-Soto, C., Soria-Díaz, L., and Urios, V. (2011). Fototrampeo de mamíferos en la Sierra Nanchititla, México: abundancia relativa y patrón de actividad. Revista de Biología Tropical 59, 373–383.
| Fototrampeo de mamíferos en la Sierra Nanchititla, México: abundancia relativa y patrón de actividad.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21516657PubMed |
Norris, D., Michalski, F., and Peres, C. A. (2010). Habitat patch size modulates terrestrial mammal activity patterns in Amazonian forest fragments. Journal of Mammalogy 91, 551–560.
| Habitat patch size modulates terrestrial mammal activity patterns in Amazonian forest fragments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Orjuela, O., and Jiménez, G. (2004). Estudio de la abundancia relativa para mamíferos en diferentes tipos de coberturas y carretera, finca hacienda cristales, área cerritos – la Virginia, municipio de Pereira, departamento de Risaralda – Colombia. Universitas Scientiarum 9, 87–96.
Ramírez-Pulido, J., González-Ruíz, N., Gardner, A. L., and Arroyo-Cabrales, J. (2014). ‘List of Recent Land Mammals of Mexico, 2014.’ (Museum of Texas Tech University: Lubbock, TX, USA.)
Reid, F. (2009). ‘A Field Guide to the Mammals of Central America and Southeast Mexico,’ 2nd edn. (Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.)
Ries, L., Fletcher, R. J., Battin, J., and Sisk, T. D. (2004). Ecological responses to habitat edges: mechanisms, models, and variability explained. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics 35, 491–522.
| Ecological responses to habitat edges: mechanisms, models, and variability explained.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rocha, E. C., Brito, D., Machado, S. P., Silva, J., dos Santos, B. P. V., and Juen, L. (2018). Effects of habitat fragmentation on the persistence of medium and large mammal species in the Brazilian savanna of Goiás State. Biota Neotropica 18, e20170483.
| Effects of habitat fragmentation on the persistence of medium and large mammal species in the Brazilian savanna of Goiás State.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rowcliffe, J. M., Field, J., Turvey, S. T., and Carbone, Ch. (2008). Estimating animal density using camera traps without the need for individual recognition. Journal of Applied Ecology 45, 1228–1236.
| Estimating animal density using camera traps without the need for individual recognition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rzedowski, J. (2006). ‘Vegetación de México,’ 1ra versión digital. (Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad: Ciudad de México, México.) [In Spanish.]
Santana, G., Mendoza, M., Salinas, V., Pérez-Salicrup, D., Martínez, Y., and Aburto, I. (2014). Análisis preliminar de la diversidad y estructura arbórea-arbustiva del bosque mesófilo en el Sistema Volcánico Transversal de Michoacán, México. Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 85, 1104–1116.
| Análisis preliminar de la diversidad y estructura arbórea-arbustiva del bosque mesófilo en el Sistema Volcánico Transversal de Michoacán, México.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Servín, J., Bejarano, A., Alonso-Pérez, N., and Chacón, E. (2014). El tamaño del ámbito hogareño y el uso de hábitat de la zorra gris (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) en un bosque templado de Durango, México. Therya 5, 257–269.
| El tamaño del ámbito hogareño y el uso de hábitat de la zorra gris (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) en un bosque templado de Durango, México.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Soga, M., and Koike, S. (2013). Large forest patches promote breeding success of a terrestrial mammal in urban landscapes. PLoS One 8, e51802.
| Large forest patches promote breeding success of a terrestrial mammal in urban landscapes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23300951PubMed |
Spotte, S. (2014). ‘Free-Ranging Cats: Behavior, Ecology, Management.’ (Wiley Blackwell Publishing: Oxford, UK.)
Srbek-Araujo, A. C., and García, A. (2005). Is camera trapping an efficient method for surveying mammals in Neo-tropical forests? A case study in south-eastern Brazil. Journal of Tropical Ecology 21, 121–125.
| Is camera trapping an efficient method for surveying mammals in Neo-tropical forests? A case study in south-eastern Brazil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stagoll, K., Lindenmayer, D. B., Knight, E., Fischer, J., and Manning, A. D. (2012). Large trees are keystone structures in urban parks. Conservation Letters 5, 115–122.
| Large trees are keystone structures in urban parks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tedesco, C., Manchado da Silva, D., and Zanella, N. (2018). Medium-sized mammals in peri-urban environments in southern Brazil. Acta Scientiarum. Biological Sciences 40, e37562.
| Medium-sized mammals in peri-urban environments in southern Brazil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vanak, T. A., and Gompper, E. M. (2009). Dogs Canis familiaris as carnivores: their role and function in intraguild competition. Mammal Review 39, 265–283.
| Dogs Canis familiaris as carnivores: their role and function in intraguild competition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vanak, A. T., Thaker, M., and Gompper, M. E. (2009). Experimental examination of behavioural interactions between free-ranging wild and domestic canids. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 64, 279–287.
| Experimental examination of behavioural interactions between free-ranging wild and domestic canids.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vanak, A. T., Dickman, C. R., Silva-Rodríguez, E. A., Butler, J. R. A., and Ritchie, E. G. (2014). Top-dogs and under-dogs: competition between dogs and sympatric carnivores. In ‘Free-Ranging Dogs and Wildlife Conservation’. (Ed. M. E. Gompper.) pp. 69–93. (Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.)
Villaseñor, N. R., Driscoll, D. A., Escobar, M. A. H., Gibbons, P. H., and Lindenmayer, D. B. (2014). Urbanization impacts on mammals across urban-forest edges and a predictive model of edge effects. PLoS One 9, e97036.
| Urbanization impacts on mammals across urban-forest edges and a predictive model of edge effects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24810286PubMed |
Virgós, E., Telleria, J. L., and Santos, T. (2002). A comparison on the response to forest fragmentation by medium-sized Iberian carnivores in central Spain. Biodiversity and Conservation 11, 1063–1079.
| A comparison on the response to forest fragmentation by medium-sized Iberian carnivores in central Spain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang, Y., and Fisher, O. D. (2012). Dingoes affect activity of feral cats, but do not exclude them from the habitat of an endangered macropod. Wildlife Research 39, 611–620.
| Dingoes affect activity of feral cats, but do not exclude them from the habitat of an endangered macropod.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Weston, M. A., Fitzsimons, J. A., Wescott, G., Miller, K. K., Ekanayake, K. B., and Schneider, T. (2014). Bark in the park: a review of domestic dogs in parks. Environmental Management 54, 373–382.
| Bark in the park: a review of domestic dogs in parks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24981273PubMed |
Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (2005). ‘Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference,’ 3rd edn. (Johns Hopkins University Press: Baltimore, MD, USA.)
Yasuda, M. (2004). Monitoring diversity and abundance of mammals with camera traps: a case study on Mount Tsukuba, central Japan. Mammal Study 29, 37–46.
| Monitoring diversity and abundance of mammals with camera traps: a case study on Mount Tsukuba, central Japan.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zapata-Ríos, G., and Branch, L. C. (2016). Altered activity patterns and reduced abundance of native mammals in sites with feral dogs in the high Andes. Biological Conservation 193, 9–16.
| Altered activity patterns and reduced abundance of native mammals in sites with feral dogs in the high Andes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zar, J. H. (2010). ‘Biostatistical analysis.’ 5th edn. (Pearson Prentice-Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA.)
