Hyaena-mediated landscapes of fear : the influence of active spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) den sites on the detection probability and occupancy probability of a mammal community

Abstract

African ecosystems support a diverse variety of predator species and have the highest diversity of large carnivores on earth. Apex predators play a crucial role in these ecosystems. Through hunting and creating a landscape of fear, apex predators influence the populations and behaviours of smaller predators and prey. According to the mesopredator release hypothesis, the absence of an apex predator leads to an increase in mesopredator populations, resulting in higher predation pressure on their prey and a subsequent decline in prey populations. The spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) is a key apex predator with several activity hotspots, the largest being the den, where landscapes of fear may be most pronounced. While there is substantial literature on factors influencing hyaena den site selection, the impact of these dens on the presence of potential prey and competitively inferior species remains underexplored. This study aimed to examine the influence of perceived risk associated with hyaena dens on the occupancy and detection probabilities of prey species within the ecosystem. We used camera traps set up around dens to assess these probabilities, providing a detailed analysis of mesopredator and prey species' responses to hyaena activity. Our results indicate a correlation between increased hyaena activity and reduced occupancy and detection probabilities in mesopredator and prey species. These findings suggest that hyaena dens create landscapes of fear, influencing mesopredator and prey species' distribution and behaviour.