Habitat use and preference by guanacos, vicuñas and livestock in an altitudinal gradient in northwest Argentina

Distribution of ungulates is regulated by natural factors, such as presence of other species, climate, and habitat variability, as well as human activities, including livestock grazing and mining. Understanding the spatial dynamics of landscape use can help solve problems of access to key resources by native herbivores. Laguna Brava Reserve is a protected area of Argentina where the two wild South American camelids, guanacos and vicuñas, coexist with cattle, mules, horses, and goats. Information about the effects of livestock and mining activities, which are widespread throughout the region, on wild camelids is scarce. We used variable-width transects to determine the distribution of guanacos, vicuñas, equids, and cattle in relation to five habitat types defined according to vegetation and topography in the reserve. We carried out a correspondence analysis between the proportion of groups observed in and the proportion of area occupied by each habitat, and a χ2 goodness of fit test to establish if camelids and livestock selected a particular habitat type. Vicuñas were associated with grasslands at high altitudes while guanacos and livestock were associated with shrublands at lower elevations. This coevolutionary segregation between guanacos and vicuñas possibly reduced competition between the two species. Competition between camelids and livestock is probably low because of the low density of livestock. Vegas were preferred by all species year round but used more intensively in summer. In order to conserve the wild camelids of the region, governments must implement measures to conserve the critical habitat provided by the vegas.Fil: Wurstten, Alvaro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación En Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Novaro, Andres Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados UnidosFil: Walker, R. Susan. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados Unido

Activity pattern segregation of carnivores in the high Andes

Intraguild competition may be reduced if ecologically similar species segregate temporally. Using data from 1,596 camera-trap photos, we present the 1st quantitative analyses of the activity patterns of Andean cats (Leopardus jacobita), Pampas cats (Leopardus colocolo), culpeos (Lycalopex culpaeus), and pumas (Puma concolor) in high-altitude deserts of the Andes. We compared daily activity patterns for these carnivores with those of mountain vizcachas (Lagidium viscacia), the main prey of Andean cats. Activity patterns of all species were positively skewed toward night. Pampas cats displayed the greatest proportion of nocturnal activity, whereas Andean cats were the most diurnal. Activity of Andean cats differed significantly only from that of Pampas cats; Pampas cats also differed from pumas. Activity of Andean cats was generally similar to that of mountain vizcachas. The dissimilar activity patterns of Andean and Pampas cats support the hypothesis of temporal niche segregation of these felids.La segregation temporal entre especies ecológicamente similares puede reducir la competición intragremial. Sobre la base de 1,596 fotos de trampas cámaras, se presentan los primeras análisis cuantitativos sobre los patrones de actividad del gato andino (Leopardus jacobita), gato de los pajonales (Leopardus colocolo), zorro culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus) y puma (Puma concolor) en los desiertos de altura de los Andes. Se comparan los patrones de actividad de estos carnívoros con los del chinchillón (Lagidium viscacia), la presa principal del gato andino. Los patrones de actividad de todas las especies mostraron un sesgo positivo hacia la noche. El gato de los pajonales tuvo la mayor proporción de actividad nocturna y el gato andino de diurna. La actividad del gato andino difirió en forma significativa únicamente de la del gato de los pajonales; los patrones de este último se diferenciaron también del puma. La actividad del gato andino fue en general similar a la del chinchillón. La diferencia entre gato andino y de los pajonales apoya la hipótesis de segregación entre los nichos temporales de estos félidos.Fil: Lucherini, Mauro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Reppucci, Juan Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Walker, Rebecca Susana. Wildlife Conservation Society; ArgentinaFil: Villalba, M. Lilian. Colección Boliviana de Fauna; BoliviaFil: Wurstten, Alvaro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Wildlife Conservation Society; ArgentinaFil: Gallardo Giovana. Centro de Estudios en Biología Teórica y Aplicada; BoliviaFil: Iriarte, Agustín. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Villalobos, Rodrigo. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Perovic, Pablo Gastón. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Museo de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA; Argentin