The wolves of Isle Royale display scale-invariant satiation and ratio-dependent predation on moose

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2005

Abstract

1. The importance of two features of the predator functional response (satiation and predator dependence) is investigated in the wolf-moose interaction on Isle Royale National Park (Michigan, USA). This is done by fitting and comparing nine different functional response models to the observed kill rates. 2. Three different observational scales (the whole island, the wolf packs, or a 'mixed' scale) are used to assess the sensitivity of the detected properties with respect to these spatial scales. 3. Independently of the observational scale and of statistical assumptions on data structure, strong predator dependence and satiation of the wolf functional response are found. The 'mixed' scale gives the most consistent results, suggesting that predation should be measured for each pack, but that packs share all moose on the island. On this scale, the functional response is clearly ratio-dependent. © 2005 British Ecological Society.

Publication Title

Journal of Animal Ecology

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