Human expansion precipitates niche expansion for an opportunistic apex predator (Puma concolor).

ABSTRACT: There is growing recognition that developed landscapes are important systems in which to promote ecological complexity and conservation. Yet, little is known about processes regulating these novel ecosystems, or behaviours employed by species adapting to them. We evaluated the isotopic niche of an apex carnivore, the cougar (Puma concolor), over broad spatiotemporal scales and in a region characterized by rapid landscape change. We detected a shift in resource use, from near complete specialization on native herbivores in wildlands to greater use of exotic and invasive species by cougars in contemporary urban interfaces. We show that 25 years ago, cougars inhabiting these same urban interfaces possessed diets that were intermediate. Thus, niche expansion followed human expansion over both

SUBMITTER: Moss WE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5180354 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature