Journal article
Functional plasticity in vertebrate scavenger assemblages in the presence of introduced competitors
Oecologia, Vol.188(2), pp.583-593
2018
Abstract
Introduced species may suppress or enhance ecological functions, or they may have neutral effects in ecosystems where they replace or complement native species. Few studies, however, have explicitly tested for these trajectories, and for the effect these might have for native species. In this study, we experimentally test the trajectory and scale of change in the function of 'carrion removal' at different carrion loads along ocean beaches in Eastern Australia that have different numbers of introduced red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and several species of native raptors. We hypothesized that the 'positive' effect of foxes on carrion removal would be greatest at high carrion loads, because competition for resources between native and introduced species is lower. Scavenger abundance, fox occurrences, and carrion consumption by these species differed widely between locations and times. Despite distinct spatial differences in the structure of vertebrate scavenger assemblages, total carrion consumption was not significantly different between locations at any carrion load. This lack of variation in functional rates indicates potential functional plasticity in the scavenger assemblage and possible functional accommodation of red foxes. Neutral fox effects on ecological functions or the ecosystem more broadly are, however, very unlikely to extend beyond carrion consumption.
Details
- Title
- Functional plasticity in vertebrate scavenger assemblages in the presence of introduced competitors
- Authors
- Ellen L Bingham (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringBen L Gilby (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringAndrew D Olds (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringMichael A Weston (Author) - Deakin UniversityRod M Connolly (Author) - Griffith UniversityChristopher J Henderson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringBrooke Maslo (Author) - State University of New Jersey, United StatesCharles F Peterson (Author) - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United StatesChristine M Voss (Author) - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United StatesThomas Schlacher (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Publication details
- Oecologia, Vol.188(2), pp.583-593
- Publisher
- Springer
- Date published
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00442-018-4217-0
- ISSN
- 0029-8549; 0029-8549
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451482802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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