Biology subjects

Wilmers, C. C.

Publications and source records attributed to Wilmers, C. C..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Variation in anthropogenic tolerance alters dispersal capacity of a large carnivore

Population connectivity is essential for long-term species persistence, and a major challenge to the conservation of isolated wildlife populations globally. Understanding how individual variation in movement behavior scales up to affect population connectivity across human-dominated landscapes is essential for the development and implementation of effective conservation and management plans, particularly for wide-ranging species with potential for human-wildlife conflict. Based on the observed movement behavior of 84 pumas (Puma concolor) in the Santa Cruz Mountains, we characterized individual variation in tolerance towards anthropogenic presence and used EcoScape, a novel functional habitat connectivity algorithm, to predict how individual differences in behavior affect the connectivity and dispersal capacity of an at-risk carnivore population. We found that individual differences in human tolerance have a greater effect than sex-based differences on modeled ability to disperse through anthropogenic landscapes, and strongly influence connectivity. This work highlights how individual variation in animal responses to human disturbance affects dispersal capacity, and offers a novel approach to predicting the persistence of metapopulations in the context of rapid global change.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2020

Biogeographical and ecological factors associated with kill rates of an apex predator

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWKill rates and functional responses are fundamental to the study of predator ecology and the understanding of predatory-prey dynamics. As the most widely distributed apex predator in the western hemisphere pumas (Puma concolor) have been widely studied yet a biogeographical synthesis of their kill rates is currently lacking. We reviewed the literature and compiled data on sex- and age-specific kill rate estimates of pumas on ungulates, and conducted analyses aimed at understanding ecological factors explaining the observed variation across their range. Kill rate studies on pumas, while numerous, were primarily conducted in Temperate Conifer Forests (< 10% of puma range), revealing a dearth of knowledge across much of their range, especially from tropical and subtropical habitats. Across studies, kill rates in ungulates/week were highest for adult females with kitten(s) (1.24 {+/-} 0.41 ungulates/week) but did not vary significantly between adult males (0.84 {+/-} 0.18) and solitary adult females (0.99 {+/-} 0.26). Kill rates in kg/day did not differ significantly among reproductive classes. Kill rates of adult pumas increased with ungulate density. Ungulate species richness had a weak negative association with adult male kill rates. Neither scavenger richness, the proportion of non-ungulate prey in the diet, nor regional human population density had a significant effect on ungulate kill rates. Our results had a strong temperate-ecosystem bias highlighting the need for further research across the diverse biomes pumas occupy in order to make species level inferences. Data from more populations would also allow for multivariate analyses providing deeper inference into the ecological and behavioural factors driving kill rates and functional responses of pumas, and apex predators in general.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2018

Mountain lion genomes provide insights into genetic rescue of inbred populations

Introduction paragraph/AbstractAcross the geographic range of mountain lions, which includes much of North and South America, populations have become increasingly isolated due to human persecution and habitat loss. To explore the genomic consequences of these processes, we assembled a high-quality mountain lion genome and analyzed a panel of resequenced individuals from across their geographic range. We found strong geographical structure and signatures of severe inbreeding in all North American populations. Tracts of homozygosity were rarely shared among populations, suggesting that assisted gene flow would restore local genetic diversity. However, the genome of an admixed Florida panther that descended from a translocated individual from Central America had surprisingly long tracts of homozygosity, indicating that genomic gains from translocation were quickly lost by local inbreeding. Thus, to sustain diversity, genetic rescue will need to occur at regular intervals, through repeated translocations or restoring landscape connectivity. Mountain lions provide a rare opportunity to examine the potential to restore diversity through genetic rescue, and to observe the long-term effects of translocation. Our methods and results provide a framework for genome-wide analyses that can be applied to the management of small and isolated populations.

evolutionary biology↗