Mobility of a small mammalian predator changes according to the activity patterns of potential intraguild predators

• Published in: Journal of zoology (1987) Vol. 298; no. 2; pp. 121 - 127
• Main Authors: Koivisto, E., Hoset, K. S., Le Tortorec, A. H., Norrdahl, K., Korpimäki, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2016
• Subjects: activity patterns; Aegolius funereus; antipredator behaviour; competition; Falco tinnunculus; habitat selection; Habitats; intraguild predation; Mustela nivalis nivalis; Predation; predation risk; predator facilitation; predator-prey interactions; Small mammals
• ISSN: 0952-8369; 1469-7998
• DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12293

Competition, habitat structure and predation risk may alter mobility and activity of animals. In particular, small predators need to weigh the positive and negative impacts of the presence of competing larger predator species. Other predators present a risk but may also enhance the predation efficiency of smaller predators if avoiding one predator species increases prey exposure to the other. We studied how habitat structure and the presence of avian predators affected the activity patterns of radio‐collared least weasels Mustela nivalis nivalis, small‐bodied predators highly specialized on hunting small rodents and subject to intraguild predation. Least weasels appeared to schedule their mobility according to the peak activity of the avian predator present in large outdoor enclosures. In the presence of diurnal European kestrels Falco tinnunculus, least weasels moved less during night compared with evening and day, whereas in the presence of nocturnal Tengmalm's owls Aegolius funereus, least weasels moved more during night than during other time periods. Least weasels almost exclusively used the tall grass habitat in all treatments, whereas owls used the short grass habitat most and kestrels used both habitats equally. Our results suggest that beneficial interactions play an important role in the interaction between least weasels, kestrels and owls, and that the avoidance of risky habitats by least weasels minimizes the risk of intraguild predation.