Space use and simultaneous movement analyses of lions and spotted hyenas

Background Interference competition among sympatric carnivores can potentially influence species viability through population reduction or extinction, and has important implications for the structure and function of large carnivore communities. Carnivores may mitigate the risk of competition through fine-scaled spatial or temporal separation that subsequently affects predator interactions and community dynamics. Simultaneous telemetry records of sympatric carnivores allows for an in-depth analysis of individual space-use patterns and association metrics. Together with the application of a novel method for analyzing fine-scaled movement interactions, quantifying spatiotemporal separation between predator species provides insight into understanding the dynamic interactions among co-existing carnivores. Methods We analyzed GPS satellite relocation data from 17 lions (Panthera leo) and 14 spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) over four-years, across two distinct ecosystems. Data were used to investigate lion and hyena space-use patterns and fine-scale movement of intra- and interspecific dyads. We assessed home range overlap among lion and spotted hyena, and applied a novel T-LoCoH (Time-Local Convex Hull) method to study species range overlaps from an interaction perspective. We also present the first application of our dyadic movement methodology to characterize the relative movement of lion and spotted hyena dyads. Results Heterospecific home-range overlap between lion prides and hyena clans was considerably greater than conspecific pride-pride and clan-clan overlap. Spatial overlaps among heterospecific competitors occurred mainly at the edge of home ranges, and were indicative of joint, contemporaneous space-use. Close encounters between individual lion and hyena provided opportunities to assess and compare interactions within home ranges and, even, core areas across seasons and ecosystems. At distances