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Interactions between badgers, red foxes and
raccoon dogs in Białowieża Poland
Journal
Canadian
Journal of Zoology, Volume 86, Number 12, 1 December 2008, pp.
1389-1396(8)
Authors
Kowalczyk, R.; Jędrzejewska,
B.; Zalewski,
A.; Jędrzejewski,
W.
Abstract
Based on radio-tracking of Eurasian badgers (Meles
meles (L., 1758)), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes (L., 1758)), and raccoon dogs
(Nyctereutes procyonoides (Gray, 1834)) and observations at burrows
conducted in Białowieża Primeval Forest (eastern Poland) in 1996-2002, we
addressed the hypothesis that facilitative interactions between a native
(badger) and an alien (raccoon dog) species contributed to the invasion
success of the latter. In winter, 88% of badger setts were occupied by
both badgers and raccoon dogs, 4% by badgers and red foxes, and 4% by all
three species. In summer, only 20% of badger setts were cohabited by other
carnivore species (10% by raccoon dogs and 10% by foxes). Duration of
occupation of badger setts by raccoon dogs averaged 117 days (SE =
21 days). Seasonal variation in raccoon dog use of badger setts was
explained by changes in ambient temperature: the lower was the
temperature, the higher was the rate of sett occupation by raccoon dogs.
When wintering in the same sett, badgers and raccoon dogs used different
parts of the sett. We conclude that facilitation by badgers (through
habitat amelioration and refuge from cold and predation) makes the
realized niche of raccoon dogs larger than predicted from their
fundamental niche. The facilitating role of badger is stronger in winter,
which is a critical period for raccoon dog survival in the temperate and
boreal zone.
Keywords
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