10.5061/DRYAD.D27VT
Davies, Andrew B.
Carnegie Institution for Science
Marneweck, David G.
University of Pretoria
Druce, Dave J.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa, and
Asner, Gregory P.
Carnegie Institution for Science
Data from: Den site selection, pack composition, and reproductive success
in endangered African wild dogs
Dryad
dataset
2016
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Lycaon pictus
terrain ruggedness
viewshed
Reproductive success
2016-07-11T13:13:33Z
2016-07-11T13:13:33Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arw124
14589 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Habitat quality is often assumed to be directly related to increased
consumer density, but such assumptions cannot be made without supporting
demographic data that indicate improved fitness. Habitat selection might
be especially important for denning species, where vulnerable offspring
are confined to a single location for extended periods, but the effect of
den choice on the reproductive success of denning species is poorly
understood. By combining airborne high-resolution Light Detection and
Ranging (LiDAR) measurements with data on pack composition, we
investigated den site selection by endangered African wild dogs in
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa, examining whether habitat selection
based on ecological factors resulted in increased litter sizes and thus
reproductive success compared with social factors known to be important.
Although there was selection for den sites in areas of increased terrain
ruggedness and vegetation density, only vegetation density was associated
with larger litter sizes and translated into increased reproductive
success. Moreover, pack size was only influential when a minimum
vegetation density around den sites was achieved, indicating that although
social variables have a powerful effect on reproductive success, they are
mediated by ecological factors defining habitat quality. Our results
demonstrate the importance of distinguishing between density- and
fitness-based indicators of habitat quality, and how this can affect
management actions, particularly for endangered species conservation.
Wild dog den sites and random sitesCSV file containing the ecological
attributes associated with each den and random site. Ecological data were
derived from airborne LiDAR measurements.Dens are coded as 1 and random
sites as 0 under the column "site". Dens are further
distinguished as being either first (1) or secondary (2) den sites under
the column "YearID".dens_random_sites.csvCharacteristics of the
environment around den and random sitesCSV file containing ecological data
in a 250 m radius around den and random sites. Data were derived from
airborne LiDAR measurements and interpolated over the environment area
(250 m radius). The data therefore represent averaged values around each
den and random site. Dens are coded as 1 and random sites as 0 under the
column "site". Dens are further distinguished as being either
first (1) or secondary (2) den sites under the column
"YearID".den_environment_250m.csvEcological and social (pack
attributes) data associated with each wild dog den siteCSV file containing
the ecological and social (pack) attributes associated with each wild dog
den site. Ecological data were derived from airborne LiDAR
measurements.pack_litter_size.csv
Kwa-Zulu Natal
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
South Africa