Top predators constrain mesopredator distributions

Thomas M. Newsome (), Aaron C. Greenville, Duško Ćirović, Christopher R. Dickman, Chris N. Johnson, Miha Krofel, Mike Letnic, William J. Ripple, Euan G. Ritchie, Stoyan Stoyanov and Aaron J. Wirsing
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Thomas M. Newsome: School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University
Aaron C. Greenville: School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney
Duško Ćirović: Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade
Christopher R. Dickman: School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney
Chris N. Johnson: School of Biological Sciences and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, University of Tasmania
Miha Krofel: Wildlife Ecology Research Group, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana
Mike Letnic: Centre for Ecosystem Science, and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales
William J. Ripple: Global Trophic Cascades Program, Oregon State University
Euan G. Ritchie: School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University
Stoyan Stoyanov: University of Forestry
Aaron J. Wirsing: School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Top predators can suppress mesopredators by killing them, competing for resources and instilling fear, but it is unclear how suppression of mesopredators varies with the distribution and abundance of top predators at large spatial scales and among different ecological contexts. We suggest that suppression of mesopredators will be strongest where top predators occur at high densities over large areas. These conditions are more likely to occur in the core than on the margins of top predator ranges. We propose the Enemy Constraint Hypothesis, which predicts weakened top-down effects on mesopredators towards the edge of top predators’ ranges. Using bounty data from North America, Europe and Australia we show that the effects of top predators on mesopredators increase from the margin towards the core of their ranges, as predicted. Continuing global contraction of top predator ranges could promote further release of mesopredator populations, altering ecosystem structure and contributing to biodiversity loss.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15469

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