Coexistence of native and invasive species: the case of the Critically Endangered endemic carnivores from Cozumel Island, Mexico

Sofía Ana Lucrecia Lara-Godínez, David Valenzuela-Galván, Alberto González-Romero, Alfredo D. Cuarón, Vinicio J. Sosa, Luis Bernardo-Vázquez, César R. Rodríguez-Luna

Ecoscience, 31(3):86-99 (2024). 

https://doi.org/10.1080/11956860.2024.2432113

Abstract
Species face increasing threats from anthropogenic disturbances to natural habitats, and we need to understand how threatened species are affected. For example, studying animals' behavior and responses toward co-occurring species provides information on ecological interactions. We explored the patterns and drivers of the spatial use of two native carnivores endemic to Cozumel Island, Mexico, the Cozumel raccoon (Critically Endangered) and the dwarf coati (considered as Threatened in Mexico). We used multi-seasonal occupancy models to assess the effect that environmental variables, or the interactions with the other endemic carnivore, with a potentially competing species (common opossum) and with an invasive predator (dog), have on the activity of each endemic carnivore. We also compared their daily activity patterns. Habitat type was the main factor driving the detection and occupancy probability of both native carnivores that showed low to moderate overlap in daily activity patterns with competing species and with an invasive predator. Neither habitat disturbance nor dogs affected carnivore occupancy, suggesting that both variables have not reached a critical threshold to negatively influence the occurrence of native carnivores. Our results are relevant for understanding the spatiotemporal ecological requirements and constraints of two endangered endemic carnivores and for planning actions for their conservation.