Capybara responses to varying levels of predation risk

AVILA, ANA BELÉN; CORRIALE, MARÍA JOSÉ; DONADIO, EMILIANO; DI BITETTI, MARIO S.; PONZIO, MARINA FLAVIA; CANTARELLI, VERÓNICA INÉS; DE ANGELO, CARLOS

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR

ACADEMIC PRESS LTD-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2022

0003-3472

Predators can generate physiological and behavioural responses in prey individuals. Thus, carnivore3 reintroductions might have profound changes in communities and ecosystems by modifying anti-4 predatory responses. Combining observational and experimental approaches, we compared the short-5 and long-term anti-predator responses of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) between a6 landscape with a high density of predators (Pantanal, Brazil) and a landscape where predators became7 extinct in the mid-XX century but where a jaguar reintroduction project is in progress (Iberá,8 Argentina). Generalized linear models were used to test if the presence of natural predators affects9 capybara behavioural budgets, gregarious behaviour, and the associated physiological stress responses10 and to test if, in the short term, capybaras increase their vigilance levels after detecting the proximity11 of a simulated predator (a playback of jaguar calls). In the Pantanal, capybaras did not show higher12 levels of vigilance, but they had a higher proportion of foraging than in Iberá. Pantanal groups were13 smaller and foraged closer to water. The baseline levels of stress hormones tended to be higher in14 Iberá. In response to simulated stimuli, both populations responded to predator sound cues by15 increasing vigilance, but Iberá groups also increased vigilance in response to a control sound,16 suggesting that they were not recognizing the predator stimulus as a greater risk than another17 stimulus. In areas with predators, capybaras may reduce predation risk by choosing safer areas, where18 they can spend more time foraging when the predator is not nearby. Vigilance may be only a reactive19 response to cues of the predator?s proximity. Understanding the capybara?s antipredator responses20 may help predict the potential effects and the success of jaguar reintroduction in a region where it has21 been absent for over 80 years.