The effect of body size on co‐occurrence patterns within an African carnivore guild

Intraguild interactions among mammalian carnivores are important in shaping carnivore guild composition. Competing species may inhabit different areas and/or being active during times to reduce the risk of aggressive interactions, but role body size intraguild within guilds remains largely unknown. We determined spatial and temporal co-occurrence small, medium-sized large central Tuli, Botswana: lion Panthera leo, leopard pardus, spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta, brown Parahyaena brunnea, black-backed jackal Canis mesomelas, bat-eared fox Otocyon megalotis, African wildcat Felis sylvestris lybica, civet Civettictis civetta, honey badger Mellivora capensis small-spotted genet Genetta genetta. used camera trap data over a two-year period quantified degree overlap by comparing activity patterns calculating Pianka's index respectively. Our results showed that between all was high, complete possibly reduced differences peak periods. In addition, low moderate levels were found species, supporting idea small than interference competition. Due possible strong competition amongst sympatric there is need for more knowledge on co-existence successful management conservation example when (re)introduced an area.