SPATIO-TEMPORAL PATTERNS OF THE WOLF AND ITS PREY IN A MEDITERRANEAN AREA

Abstract

Starting from the 1970s, populations of top predators such as the wolf Canis lupushave been expanding across Europe thanks to the protective legislation andthe creation of many protected areas, the increased abundance of wild ungulates and other factors. The return of these animals can trigger significant consequences from the ecological as well as management points of view. Large carnivores have been reported to exert a great impact on ecosystems by triggering trophic cascades.In anthropized ecosystems, common inEurope, they are characterized by smaller and scattered protected areas,the presence and activity of humans may influence predator-prey relationships, affecting the potential of apex predators to influence other components of ecosystems. However, the anti-predatory responses are notunivocal, especially in fragmented contexts such as the European ones, were animaldistributionoverlap with human activities. The current studyfocuses on spatiotemporaldistribution pattern of the wolf and itsmainprey in a costal protected area in central part of Italy (Maremma Regional Park)using camera trapping method. The wolf showed nocturnal activity patterns, with peaks statistically associated with the activity rhythms of the wild boar, with whom a remarkable temporal overlap was detected (Δ4= 0.91). Diurnal activity was observed in the fallow deer, with a medium-low overlap with the wolf (Δ4= 0.53). Results contrasted with findings obtained in the 1900s, i.e., when the wolf was absent from the area and fallow deer showed nocturnal/crepuscular activity. Moreover, results were different from what found in 2017-2018, i.e., a couple of years after the stable return of the wolf, when diurnal activity was only reported in sites highly attended by predators. The roe deer showed activity peaks at sunrise and sunset, as typically reported for this species, resulting in a low overlap with the wolf (Δ4= 0.48). Results suggest an anti-predatory response based on temporal avoidance by fallow deer, whereas no support for spatial avoidance was detected.