Invasive woodlands and intruding dogs shape the structure of a mesocarnivore guild.

ABSTRACT: Whilst the impacts of individual invasive species are relatively well studied, the combined effects of both plant and animal invasive species on multispecies assemblages are poorly understood. We studied the impact of two invasive species-the mesquite tree, Neltuma juliflora, and free-ranging dog, Canis familiaris, on a guild of native mesocarnivores in the human-dominated grasslands of the Thar desert. We found that the mesquite had varying effects on the mesocarnivore guild, benefiting generalist species such as the golden jackal Canis aureus and jungle cat Felis chaus, while negatively affecting open habitat specialist species such as Indian desert fox Vulpes v. pusilla, Indian fox Vulpes bengalensis, and desert cat Felis lybica ornata. A

SUBMITTER: Misher C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12413330 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature