Antipredator behaviour as a major determinant of prey altitudinal movements: the wolf and the chamois.

ABSTRACT: Predators have the potential to affect prey ecology through both direct effects on population dynamics or indirect effects on behaviour, e.g., by triggering antipredator strategies. Direct effects of predation on single prey species may be limited in ecosystems hosting alternative prey, possibly being overwhelmed by indirect effects. The novel exposure to a predator would provide the opportunity to test for immediate prey responses, but information is scanty for areas recolonised by carnivores. We took advantage of the natural expansion of the wolf Canis lupus in a protected area of western Alps hosting five ungulate species to test the potential for direct versus indirect effects on the main prey, i.e., a widespread mountain herbivore (the Northern chamois Rupicapra rupicapra). After veri

SUBMITTER: Orazi V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12369157 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature