Interspecific interactions are important drivers of population dynamics and species distribution. These relationships can increase niche partitioning between sympatric species, which can differentiate space and time use or modify their feeding strategies. Roe deer Capreolus capreolus and red deer Cervus elaphus are two of the most widespread ungulate species in Europe and show spatial and dietary overlap. However, limited information is available on their interspecific relationships, especially in mountainous areas. In this study we used 5 years of camera trapping data collected in the Stelvio National Park (Central Italian Alps) to investigate spatial and temporal interactions between roe deer and red deer. Analyses were based on 2060 and 9030 roe deer and red deer detections, respectively, collected from July to September, from 2019 to 2023, using 50 camera traps randomly distributed over a 10,000-ha study area. Spatial interactions were assessed by fitting a single-season, single-species occupancy model to calculate the probability of roe deer detection and occupancy as a function of relative red deer abundance and site-specific environmental covariates. Temporal interactions were obtained by comparing the diel activity patterns of the two species. Results showed no significant effect of red deer relative abundance on the probability of presence of roe deer. Spatial analysis suggested a higher probability of roe deer presence in forested habitats, at lower elevations, and in areas with gentler slopes. Diel activity patterns of roe deer were consistent across sites with higher and lower red deer relative abundance, with moderate to high interspecific overlap, suggesting moderate temporal partitioning and no major support for temporal avoidance of the latter by the former. The high degree of overlap between the two species may be the result of area-specific ecological conditions, such as the widespread distribution of red deer during the summer period, as well as of the adoption of strategies that favor coexistence.

Camera traps are widely used in ecological studies, including analyses of habitat use. However, the relationships between animal spatial behavior and landscape features obtained with camera traps have seldom been compared to those obtained with more established methods. We evaluated the use of camera trap data to predict habitat use in red deer Cervus elaphus by comparing them to GPS telemetry data, used as a benchmark. Within a 100 km2 study area in the Stelvio National Park (Italy), we collected red deer presence data from 50 camera traps from 2019 to 2023. In addition, 23 deer (15 females and 8 males) were equipped with global positioning system collars. For both types of data, we modeled presence/absence as a function of environmental variables using a generalized linear mixed modeling approach. Model estimates were compared in terms of directionality of the effects and of predicted habitat suitability. We found a higher concordance of effect directionality and predicted suitability for females than for males, possibly due to limited sample size in the latter. Discrepancies were found in specific habitat relationships and may be due to inherent differences between telemetry-based and camera trap-based data. Our results suggest that camera trap data can capture coarse-scale patterns of habitat use, whereas telemetry data are more suitable for finer-scale analyses. The choice of which method to use depends on the research objectives.

In camera trap studies, attractants may be used to increase detection probabilities of wildlife, which may help to improve estimates of abundance and occupancy. Using a semi-experimental approach, we investigated if a commercial, strawberry scented lure increased detection probability and visiting time duration in red fox Vulpes vulpes , and the potential reasons for variation in these parameters. In September 2020, within the Stelvio National Park, central Italian Alps, 32 camera sites were randomly assigned to 4 different treatments: 8 to commercial lure, the target of our investigation; 8 to orange aroma, to test for the “curiosity” effect; 8 to cat kibble, to test for the “likability” effect; 8 to camera trap only, the control test. Detection probability and duration of visiting time were estimated using hurdle negative binomial regression models. Daily detection probability was significantly higher with lure (0.078), orange aroma (0.086), kibble (0.075) than with camera trap only (0.031); in the first day after treatment, the time an animal spent in front of the cameras significantly increased with orange aroma (16.61 s) and kibble (33.78 s) compared to lure (9.97 s) and camera trap only (0.38 s). Our results support the use of lures to improve detection probability and visit duration in red fox, but we could not disentangle the drivers of increased parameter estimates. When consumable costs are considered, the use of the commercial strawberry scented lure does not appear justified for both detection probability and visit duration, and cheaper alternatives may be preferable.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained two mistakes.

The spatial behaviour of seven male and five female Apennine haresLepus corsicanuswas studied in a scrub-wood area of Central Italy, through radiotracking. The median percentage of home-range overlap was about five times lower between females (< 15%) than between males (75%). Intrasexual aggression was recorded for females, but never for males. No species within theLepusgenus are known to be territorial, whereas we suggest that inter-individual female intolerance in the Apennine hare may be compatible with territoriality. The Apennine hare is also unusual among hares because it reproduces throughout the year, that is also during food-poor months, which could have triggered resource defence between females to maximise their reproductive fitness.