Apparent competition and the differing effects of generalist and specialist predators on cervid populations

Abstract

Apparent competition is an important ecological function that has been extensively studied in wild cervid populations, but little is known about how to manage it or why some cervid populations are more affected by it than others. This meta-analysis attempts to give insight about how much numerical response to increases in competing alternate prey occurs for a generalist (Canis lupus) or specialist (Puma concolor) predator. The rate of change (λ) and survival rate of cervid prey populations affected by apparent competition were extracted from multiple studies and it was found that there was little to no difference in either parameter for the populations hunted by the two different predators. This suggests that more factors, like the habitat in the areas inhabited by multiple predators, need to be researched to obtain a clear understanding of the theory involving apparent competition.