Chemosensory signaling: Deterrent for livestock predation and support for grassland conservation

• In Event: Poster Presentation and Judging for: Anthropology; Botany; Conservation Ecology; Environmental Science; Freshwater Science; Geosciences; Mathematics & Computer Science; Neuroscience; Physics & Eng; Science Education; Terrestrial Ecology & Management.
  In Poster Session: Conservation Ecology Poster Session

Abstract

For many years, coyote (Canis latrans) populations have spread across the continental United States. An increase of shared human-coyote territory has allowed for more interaction, and a higher potential for coyote predation on livestock. Ranchers lose time and money protecting their livestock from these adaptive predators. To avoid loss, ranchers develop and employ a variety of anti-predation methods. One venue for development explores the utilization of predator communication to manipulate canid behavior. Coyotes use chemosensory signaling to alert other predators of their presence and to establish territory boundaries. Introducing the presence of predator urine samples can allow humans to reproduce scent-marking behavior to signify occupied territory. Presenting predator urine samples allows ranchers to convey control of territory, deter predation on livestock and preserve ecosystem biodiversity. Our study identified coyote behavioral responses in the presence of varying large predator urine samples and determined that wolf and mountain lion samples exhibit higher efficacy in coyote deterrence.

Authors

• Hannah Stouffer, Hardin-Simmons University

• Wendi K Wolfram, Hardin-Simmons University