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Interference competition: odours of an apex predator and conspecifics influence resource acquisition by red foxes

  • Behavioral ecology - Original research
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Abstract

Apex predators can impact smaller predators via lethal effects that occur through direct killing, and non-lethal effects that arise when fear-induced behavioural and physiological changes reduce the fitness of smaller predators. A general outcome of asymmetrical competition between co-existing predator species is that larger predators tend to suppress the abundances of smaller predators. Here, we investigate interference effects that an apex predator, the dingo (Canis dingo), has on the acquisition of food and water by the smaller red fox (Vulpes vulpes), by exposing free-ranging foxes to the odour of dingoes and conspecifics in an arid environment. Using giving-up densities we show that foxes foraged more apprehensively at predator-odour treatments than unscented controls, but their food intake did not differ between dingo- and fox-odour treatments. Using video analysis of fox behaviour at experimental water stations we show that foxes spent more time engaged in exploration behaviour at stations scented with fox odour and spent more time drinking at water stations scented with dingo odour. Our results provide support for the idea that dingo odour exerts a stronger interference effect on foxes than conspecific odour, but suggest that the odours of both larger dingoes and unfamiliar conspecifics curtailed foxes’ acquisition of food resources.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by funding from the Australian Research Council. Thanks to Bargo Dingo Sanctuary and H. Try for provision of odour samples and to S. Allison, B. Clark-Wood and S. Coaster for fieldwork assistance. We thank two anonymous referees and A. Angerbjörn for comments that strengthened the manuscript. Finally, we greatly appreciate Dr A. Carthey’s methodological advice.

Author contribution statement

V. L. and M. L. conceived and designed the study. V. L. executed the study and wrote the manuscript. M. L. and R. R. assisted in the design and execution of the study and provided editorial advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia

    Viyanna Leo & Mike Letnic

  2. Department of Conservation Biology, Denver Zoological Foundation, Denver, CO, 80205, USA

    Richard P. Reading

Authors
  1. Viyanna Leo
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  2. Richard P. Reading
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  3. Mike Letnic
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Correspondence to Viyanna Leo.

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All applicable institutional and/or national guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

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Communicated by Anders Angerbjörn.

This paper deserves to be honoured as a highlighted student paper because this research has far-reaching implications for conservation and invasive animal management.

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Leo, V., Reading, R.P. & Letnic, M. Interference competition: odours of an apex predator and conspecifics influence resource acquisition by red foxes. Oecologia 179, 1033–1040 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-015-3423-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-015-3423-2

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