Distribution and Ecology of Bobcats in Ohio: Inferences from Camera Trapping Data
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The ranges of many predators have been reduced in recent history due to hunting and the expansion of human-dominated habitats. Bobcats (Lynx rufus) were extirpated from Ohio by the 1850’s, but are now returning to southeastern Ohio. The distribution and ecological effects of these recovering bobcat populations are just beginning to be investigated but little information is available on newly founded populations. In this study, remote motion-activated camera traps were used to record the presence of bobcats and other wildlife in southeastern Ohio. A total of 14 study sites were surveyed in 2008-2011 (by Dr. Suzanne Prange, ODNR) and 2014 (my survey). This resulted in 718 “trap nights” of data, over 4,000 photo captures of 23 animal species, and 91 detections of bobcats, including detections at three new sites in 2014. Using the full data set, I found that the number of bobcat detections per trap night was significantly greater at some sites than others (P <0.05), possibly due to land use or prey abundance differences between sites. I also tested for associations between bobcats and a common prey species (deer) and with two other predators (coyotes and foxes). My analyses did not show a relationship between any of these species and bobcat presence. I also examined associations between lunar cycle and bobcat detections, as other studies have found reduced predator activity at night when the moon is brightest and prey may be most wary of nocturnal predators. Approximately 60% of bobcat detections occurred at night (N = 55 detections) but I did not find a statistically significant effect of lunar cycle on bobcat detections. Overall, these results have implications for bobcat management within the state and provide further information on interspecific associations and bobcat activity patterns in Ohio. Further research will be essential as bobcats continue to expand their species range.
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Denman Undergraduate Research Forum Honorable Mention
Natural and Mathematical Sciences Poster Winner- Organismal Biology