Concurrent spatiotemporal ecology of African lions and spotted hyenas and the potential for inter- and intraspecific interactions in semi-arid and wetland ecosystems.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.

Intraguild interactions among apex predators can potentially influence carnivore population densities and distribution, which may have profound effects on trophic processes within ecosystems. Coexisting carnivores are able to mitigate such interactions through behavioural mechanisms that promote spatiotemporal separation. Despite increasing research which highlights the occurrence and prevalence of competitive interactions between African lions (Panthera leo) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), studies that incorporate the effects of such interactions on lion and hyena space use patterns are limited. Interactions among sympatric carnivores reveal how predators utilize spatial and temporal partitioning strategies within jointly used areas, and elucidate the spatiotemporal patterns enabling species coexistence between them. Thus, an understanding of how inter- and intragroup interactions drives the movement responses of apex predators has important implications for the structure and function of large carnivore communities, and their conservation. We used remote tracking data to investigate aspects of the ecology and behaviour of lions and spotted hyenas, with an emphasis on the spatiotemporal patterns among coexisting populations. Both lions and spotted hyenas mediated the potential for interference competition through subtle differences in temporal activity, fine-scale habitat use differentiation, and localized reactive-avoidance behaviours. Recursivity to, and duration of time at, locales of high competitor probabilities, were similar among female lions and both sexes of hyenas, but different for male lions. Our findings of lion space-use patterns across arid and mesic environments indicated the seasonal influences of competitive interactions with competitors (spotted hyenas), in that lions selected for, and chose to move through areas with a lower probability of competitors during the dry season. Dyadic interactions among lions and spotted hyenas illuminates how hyenas effectively reduced their potential of interactions with lions by utilizing spatiotemporal partitioning strategies and local reactive avoidance behaviours within shared space use areas. Quantifying the types of movement behaviour between competitors highlights the type of interaction occurring in a dyad and enhances our understanding of the potential effects of interspecific interactions among large carnivore space-use patterns within an apex predator system. Both lions and spotted hyenas exploit different behavioural strategies resulting in fine-scale spatiotemporal segregation among shared space-use areas enabling the two species to co-exist, and show adaptability across heterogeneous and homogeneous environments. Such findings are essential in understanding the behavioural choices made by members of a guild that subsequently affects population dynamics and community structure of multi-species food networks.