SREL Reprint #3701

Carcass appearance does not influence scavenger avoidance of carnivore carrion

Miranda J. Butler.Valverde1, Travis L. DeVault1, Olin E. Rhodes Jr.2, and James C. Beasley1

1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources,
University of Georgia, P.O. Box Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
2Savannah River Ecology Lab, University of Georgia, P.O. Box Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA

Abstract: The selection or avoidance of certain carrion resources by vertebrate scavengers can alter the flow of nutrients in ecosystems. Evidence suggests higher trophic level carrion is scavenged by fewer vertebrate species and persists longer when compared to lower trophic level carrion, although it is unclear how scavengers distinguish between carcasses of varying species. To investigate carnivore carrion avoidance and explore sensory recognition mechanisms in scavenging species, we investigated scavenger use of intact and altered (i.e., skin, head, and feet removed) coyote—Canis latrans (carnivore) and wild pig—Sus scrofa (omnivore) carcasses experimentally placed at the Savannah River Site, SC, USA. We predicted carnivore carcasses would persist longer due to conspecific and intraguild scavenger avoidance. Further, we hypothesized visually modifying carcasses would not reduce avoidance of carnivore carrion, given scavengers likely depend largely on chemical cues when assessing carrion resources. As expected, mammalian carnivores largely avoided scavenging on coyote carcasses, resulting in carnivore carcasses having longer depletion times than wild pig carcasses at intact and altered trials. Therefore, nutrients derived from carnivore carcasses are not as readily incorporated into higher trophic levels and scavengers largely depend on olfactory cues when assessing benefits and risks associated with varying carrion resources.

SREL Reprint #3701

Butler-Valverde, M. J., T. L. DeVault, O. E. Rhodes Jr., and J. C. Beasley. 2022. Carcass appearance does not influence scavenger avoidance of carnivore carrion. Scientific Reports 2022(12): 18842.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).