Wolves adapt territory size, not pack size to local habitat quality

The Journal of Animal Ecology
Andrew M KittleJohn M Fryxell

Abstract

1. Although local variation in territorial predator density is often correlated with habitat quality, the causal mechanism underlying this frequently observed association is poorly understood and could stem from facultative adjustment in either group size or territory size. 2. To test between these alternative hypotheses, we used a novel statistical framework to construct a winter population-level utilization distribution for wolves (Canis lupus) in northern Ontario, which we then linked to a suite of environmental variables to determine factors influencing wolf space use. Next, we compared habitat quality metrics emerging from this analysis as well as an independent measure of prey abundance, with pack size and territory size to investigate which hypothesis was most supported by the data. 3. We show that wolf space use patterns were concentrated near deciduous, mixed deciduous/coniferous and disturbed forest stands favoured by moose (Alces alces), the predominant prey species in the diet of wolves in northern Ontario, and in proximity to linear corridors, including shorelines and road networks remaining from commercial forestry activities. 4. We then demonstrate that landscape metrics of wolf habitat quality - projected wolf u...Continue Reading

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Citations

Nov 4, 2015·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Adrian TrevesJeremy T Bruskotter
Dec 29, 2016·PloS One·Ronaldo G MoratoPeter Leimgruber
Aug 5, 2017·The Journal of Animal Ecology·James W A GrantStefán Ó Steingrímsson
Nov 10, 2017·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Tingting TaoJens-Christian Svenning
Jul 13, 2020·The Journal of Animal Ecology·Ellen E BrandellMeggan E Craft
Feb 14, 2021·Scientific Reports·Ellen E BrandellPeter J Hudson
Mar 4, 2021·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Sarah N SellsRobert M Inman
Jul 27, 2021·Ecology and Evolution·Michael J ChamberlainJoseph W Hinton
Jul 23, 2021·PloS One·Collin J PetersonSarah S Sells

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