Temperature and Prey Species Richness Drive the Broad-Scale Distribution of a Generalist Predator

The ongoing climate change and the unprecedented rate of biodiversity loss render need to accurately project future species distributional patterns more critical than ever. Mounting evidence suggests that not only abiotic factors, but also biotic interactions drive broad-scale patterns. Here, we explored effect predator-prey interaction on predator distribution, using as target widespread generalist grass snake (Natrix natrix). We used ensemble Species Distribution Modeling (SDM) build a model with variables (abiotic model) one including prey richness. Then projected distribution modest emission scenario assuming an unhindered no dispersal scenario. two models performed equally well, temperature richness emerging top drivers in models, respectively. In future, severe range contraction is anticipated case dispersal, likely possibility reptiles are poor dispersers. If can disperse freely, improbable due habitat fragmentation, it will lose part its contemporary expand northwards.