Spatiotemporal patterns of wolf, mesocarnivores and prey in a Mediterranean area

Abstract Spatial and temporal occurrence can mediate behavioural interactions between apex predators, mesocarnivores herbivores. Predators should adapt their activity to that of prey, whereas predator avoidance would be expected influence patterns space use prey smaller competitors. We evaluated interspecific spatiotemporal relationships in a prey-rich community including an (the wolf), three wild ungulates several herbivores/mesocarnivores, through camera trapping. All considered species (i.e. wolves potential prey/smaller competitors: boar, fallow deer, roe crested porcupine, red fox European badger) were active especially at night and/or twilight. Among ungulates, the wolf showed greatest overlap with boar lowest one least abundant used them, i.e. deer. The main deer) more diurnal lower sites high than low-activity ones. mesocarnivores, extensive wolf: two canids was greater intensively by this low activity, supporting concurrent study which suggested for facilitative—rather competitive—interactions. Spatiotemporal suggest complex predator, carnivores, substantial or spatial association often supported. Significance statement There is growing interest predators on ecosystems effects behaviour light ongoing recovery large carnivores temperate areas. synchronise prey; conversely, avoid predators. In rich wolf, mesomammals, we detected ( i ) porcupines mesocarnivores; ii negative its iii great fox. provide baseline evaluate changes predator-prey-mesocarnivore along variations carnivore-prey densities.