1999/05/01 by Francisço Palomares, T. M. · 15 citations
Environmental Science · #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation #Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies #Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
paper · doi:10.1086/303189
openalex publication_date 1999/05/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Interspecific killing among mammalian carnivores is common in nature and accounts for up to 68% of known mortalities in some species. Interactions may be symmetrical (both species kill each other) or asymmetrical (one species kills the other), and in some interactions adults of one species kill young but not adults of the other. There is a positive significant relationship between the body masses of solitary killer species and body masses of their victim species, and grouping species kill larger victims than solitary species. Interactions and consumption of the victim appear more common when food is scarce or disputed. In response to killers, victim species may alter their use of space, activity patterns, and form groups. Consequences of interspecific killing include population reduction or even extinction, and reduction and enhancement of prey populations, and may therefore have important implications for conservation and management of carnivores and their prey.