Mesopredator release hypothesis
The mesopredator release hypothesis is an
A mesopredator is a medium-sized, middle trophic level predator, which both preys and is preyed upon. Examples are raccoons, skunks,[1] snakes, cownose rays, and small sharks.
The hypothesis
The term "mesopredator release" was first used by Soulé and colleagues in 1988 to describe a process whereby mid-sized
Criticism
One of the main criticisms of the mesopredator release hypothesis is that it argues in favor of the
The hypothesis is sometimes also applied to humans as apex predators that produce top-down effects on lower trophic levels. However, it fails to recognize bottom-up effects that anthropogenic land transformations can have on landscapes on which primary producers, prey species, and mesopredators dwell.
Other release hypotheses
The mesopredator release hypothesis has also inspired other "release hypotheses". For example, the "mesoscavenger release hypothesis", which proposes that when large, efficient, scavenger populations decline (such as vultures), small, less efficient, mesoscavenger populations increase (such as rats).[18] However, this type of release is different. In the mesoscavenger release hypothesis, mesoscavengers are being released from competition for food, whereas, in the mesopredator release hypothesis, mesopredators are being released from direct predation from the apex predators.
See also
References
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