Aim
Phylogenetic niche conservatism (PNC), a pattern of closely related species retaining ancestral niche-related traits over evolutionary time, is well documented for abiotic (Grinellian) dimensions of the ecological niche. However, it remains unclear whether biotic niche (Eltonian) axes are also phylogenetically conserved, even though knowledge of biotic niches is essential to an understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics of ecological communities. We conduct the first analysis of biotic PNC by evaluating dietary specialization in a vertebrate class. 

Location 
Global

Methods 
We analysed two global compilations of diets of living mammals and a more detailed database for large carnivores together with a species-level phylogeny to evaluate trophic PNC. We searched for evidence of PNC by estimating the phylogenetic signal in distinct descriptors of dietary niche. 

Results 
Trophic niches were generally similar among related species but not strongly conserved under a niche-drift macroevolutionary model (Brownian Motion). The degree of similarity in trophic niche varied among different taxonomic groups and was, importantly, even within the same group, contingent on the metric of dietary preferences used and the quality of information on the database. 

Main conclusions 
Overall, our results showed limited support for PNC in the trophic niche of mammals. However, different data sources and metrics of dietary preferences sometimes offered different conclusions, highlighting the importance of gathering high-quality quantitative data and considering multiple metrics to describe dietary niche breadth and to assess PNC. The fully quantitative database for large carnivores provided some interesting evidence of PNC that could not be detected with semi-quantitative or presence/absence descriptors. Subsequent assessments of phylogenetic imprints on dietary specialization would benefit from considering different metrics and using well-resolved phylogenies jointly with detailed quantitative diet information. While Eltonian trophic niches did not show the same high levels of evolutionary conservatism often displayed by Grinnellian niches, both niche components should be considered to understand range limits of species and clades at biogeographic scales.

/pdf/contrasting-evidence-of-phylogenetic-trophic-niche-vzxakppjxj.pdf

Contrasting evidence of phylogenetic trophic niche conservatism in mammals worldwide

The recent co-occurrence of red wolves (Canis rufus) and coyotes (Canis latrans) in eastern North Carolina provides a unique opportunity to study prey partitioning by sympatric canids. We collected scats from this region and examined them for prey contents. We used fecal DNA analysis to identify which taxa deposited each scat and multinomial modeling designed for mark–recapture data to investigate diets of sympatric red wolves and coyotes. Diets of red wolves and coyotes did not differ, but the proportion of small rodents in the composite scats of both canids was greater in the spring than in the summer. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.), and small rodents were the most common diet items in canid scats. The similarity of diet between red wolves and coyotes suggests that these 2 species may be affecting prey populations similarly.

https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-mammalogy/volume-94/issue-5/13-MAMM-A-109.1/Diets-of-sympatric-red-wolves-and-coyotes-in-northeastern-North/10.1644/13-MAMM-A-109.1.pdf

Diets of sympatric red wolves and coyotes in northeastern North Carolina

It has been widely assumed that coyotes (Canis latrans Say, 1823) are incapable of killing adult moose (Alces alces (L., 1758)) and previous studies of coyote predation support this assumption. However, eastern coyotes and eastern coyote × eastern wolf (Canis lycaon Schreber, 1775) are larger than western coyotes and appear to rely on larger prey in some areas. We used a combination of GPS telemetry, genetic analysis, and field investigation to test the hypothesis that eastern coyotes and coyote × wolf hybrids are capable of preying on adult moose in central Ontario. Our hypothesis was supported, as we documented four definitive cases of eastern coyotes and (or) eastern coyote × eastern wolf hybrids killing moose ≥1.5 years old. Predation by coyotes and coyote × wolf hybrids probably does not represent a threat to moose population viability in central Ontario, but our results suggest that researchers and managers in other areas with declining moose populations that are sympatric with eastern coyotes and (or) coyote × wolf hybrids should consider coyote predation as a potential source of mortality.

/pdf/moose-alces-alces-predation-by-eastern-coyotes-canis-latrans-3a9f6b04to.pdf

Moose (Alces alces) predation by eastern coyotes (Canis latrans) and eastern coyote × eastern wolf (Canis latrans × Canis lycaon) hybrids

Understanding the ecological roles of species that influence ecosystem processes is a central goal of ecology and conservation biology. Eastern coyotes (Canis latrans) have ascended to the role of apex predator across much of eastern North America since the extirpation of wolves (Canis spp.) and there has been considerable confusion regarding their ability to prey on ungulates and their ecological niche relative to wolves. Eastern wolves (C. lycaon) are thought to have been the historical top predator in eastern deciduous forests and have previously been characterized as deer specialists that are inefficient predators of moose because of their smaller size relative to gray wolves (C. lupus). We investigated intrinsic and extrinsic influences on per capita kill rates of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and moose (Alces alces) during winter by sympatric packs of eastern coyotes, eastern wolves, and admixed canids in Ontario, Canada to clarify the predatory ability and ecological roles of the different canid top predators of eastern North America. Eastern coyote ancestry within packs negatively influenced per capita total ungulate (deer and moose combined) and moose kill rates. Furthermore, canids in packs dominated by eastern coyote ancestry consumed significantly less ungulate biomass and more anthropogenic food than packs dominated by wolf ancestry. Similar to gray wolves in previous studies, eastern wolves preyed on deer where they were available. However, in areas were deer were scarce, eastern wolves killed moose at rates similar to those previously documented for gray wolves at comparable moose densities across North America. Eastern coyotes are effective deer predators, but their dietary flexibility and low kill rates on moose suggest they have not replaced the ecological role of wolves in eastern North America.

/pdf/ungulate-predation-and-ecological-roles-of-wolves-and-4ss4hl16qu.pdf

Ungulate predation and ecological roles of wolves and coyotes in eastern North America

Data from: Apex predators and the facilitation of resource partitioning among mesopredators

In forested areas of the northern portion of their range, coyote (Canis latrans) populations are thought to depend mainly on areas disturbed by humans Within a forested landscape, we analyzed scat contents to study seasonal variations in coyote diet, from January to December 1996, between a protected area (Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick, N = 311) and an adjacent unprotected area (N = 364) Coyote diet changed significantly between May-July and August-September in both areas, and between October-December and January-April in the protected area From January to July, the proportion of snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) in coyote diet was significantly higher in the unprotected area than in the protected area, but no other items differed between areas Diet also differed between the two areas during August-December In the protected area, the proportion of mammals in the diet was significantly lower, while the proportions of fruits and insects were significantly higher Diet diversity was 

Does coyote diet vary seasonally between a protected and an unprotected forest landscape

The increase in coastal storm frequency and intensity expected under most climate change scenarios is likely to substantially modify beach configuration and associated habitats. This study aimed to analyze the impact of coastal storms on a nesting population of the endangered Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus melodus) in southeastern New Brunswick, Canada. Previous studies have shown that numbers of nesting Piping Plovers may increase following storms that create new nesting habitat at individual beaches. However, to our knowledge, no test of this pattern has been conducted over a regional scale. We hypothesized that Piping Plover abundance would increase after large coastal storms occurring during the nonbreeding season. However, we expected a delay in the colonization of newly created habitat owing to low-density populations, combined with high site fidelity of adults and high variability in survival rate of subadults. We tested this hypothesis using a 27-year (1986-2012) data set of Piping Plover abundance and productivity (nesting pairs and fledged young) collected at five sites in eastern New Brunswick. We identified 11 major storms that could potentially have modified Piping Plover habitat over the study period. The number of fledged young increased three years after a major storm, but the relationship was much weaker for the number of nesting pairs. These findings are consistent with the hypothesized increase in suitable habitat after coastal storms. Including storm occurrence with other factors influencing habitat quality will enhance Piping Plover conservation strategies. Réponse du Pluvier siffleur aux tempêtes côtières survenant en dehors de la saison de reproduction RÉSUMÉ. L'augmentation de la fréquence et de l'intensité des tempêtes côtières prévue dans la plupart des scénarios de changements climatiques modifiera vraisemblablement la configuration des plages et les milieux associés de façon substantielle. L'objectif de la présente étude était d'analyser l'impact des tempêtes côtières sur une population nicheuse du Pluvier siffleur (Charadrius melodus melodus), espèce en voie de disparition, dans le sud-est du Nouveau-Brunswick, au Canada. Des recherches antérieures ont montré que le nombre de Pluviers siffleurs nicheurs pourrait augmenter à la suite de tempêtes susceptibles de créer de nouveaux milieux de nidification sur certaines plages. Toutefois, selon nos connaissances, il n'y a eu aucun test de cette tendance à l'échelle régionale. Nous avons testé l'hypothèse selon laquelle l'abondance de ce pluvier augmenterait à la suite de tempêtes côtières importantes survenant en dehors de la saison de reproduction. Cependant, nous nous attendions à un décalage dans la colonisation des nouveaux milieux créés en raison de la faible densité des populations, combinée à la grande fidélité au site des adultes et au taux de survie très variable observé chez les jeunes. Nous avons analysé un jeu de données de 27 années (1986-2012) comprenant l'abondance et la productivité (couples nicheurs et jeunes aptes au vol) du Pluvier siffleur, récoltées à cinq sites dans le sud-est du Nouveau-Brunswick. Nous avons identifié onze tempêtes nous paraissant suffisamment importantes pour modifier l'habitat du Pluvier siffleur au cours de la période de l'étude. Le nombre de jeunes ayant pris leur envol a augmenté 3 ans après une tempête importante, mais la relation avec le nombre de couples nicheurs était beaucoup plus faible. Ces résultats concordent avec l'augmentation supposée du nombre de milieux de nidification propices consécutive aux tempêtes côtières. L'inclusion de l'occurrence de tempêtes avec les autres facteurs qui influent sur la qualité de l'habitat permettra d'améliorer les stratégies de conservation du Pluvier siffleur.

/pdf/piping-plover-response-to-coastal-storms-occurring-during-wms9u05kdy.pdf

Piping Plover response to coastal storms occurring during the nonbreeding season

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Does coyote diet vary seasonally between a protected and an unprotected forest landscape

Piping Plover response to coastal storms occurring during the nonbreeding season