Mesopredator Release Theory: Comparing Mesocarnivore Abundance and Prey Choices in an Urban Landscape and Impacts on Prey Populations-Juniper Publishers
Juniper Publishers- Open Access Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources Mesopredator Release Theory: Comparing Mesocarnivore Abundance and Prey Choices in an Urban Landscape and Impacts on Prey Populations Authored by Melissa L Karlin Abstract According to the mesocarnivore release theory, when apex carnivores from the landscape the populations of mid- to small-sized carnivores explode and many prey species decline. Apex predators are replaced by smaller mesocarnivores, such as domestic cats (Feliscatus), which should consume smaller prey such as birds, arthropods, and rodents, while larger mesocarnivores, such as Coyotes (Canislatrans), should prey on small mammals such as rodents and rabbits. The purpose of this research was to determine the abundance of mesocarnivores in two urban landscapes, and by determining their prey choices, estimate their impacts on small mammal and bird population abundance in their landscape. Birds and arthropods were