Data from: Scale-dependent strategies for coexistence of mesocarnivores in human-dominated landscapes

Identifying factors influencing the distribution of, and interactions
within carnivore communities is important for understanding how they are
affected by human activities. Species differ in their ability to adapt to
humans depending on their degree of specialization in habitat use and
feeding habits. This results in asymmetric changes in the ecology of
co-occurring species that can influence their interactions. We
investigated whether human infrastructures and free-ranging domestic dogs
(a species typically associated with humans) influenced the co-occurrence
and habitat use of mesocarnivores in a landscape of high human population
density in Maharashtra, India. We used 40 camera trap locations during 233
trapping nights and used Bayesian co-occurrence occupancy models to
investigate the habitat use and coexistence of species at different
spatial scales. Additionally, we investigated their temporal overlap in
space use. Indian foxes altered their habitat use both spatially and
temporally in order to avoid free-ranging domestic dogs and other larger
competitors. The use of human infrastructure by jackals and jungle cats
was limited by the presence of dogs. Our results illustrate how habitat
use of smaller carnivore species change both spatially and temporally in
order to avoid larger competitors. We also show that the presence of
species associated with humans mediates the influence of human
infrastructures on the habitat use of mesocarnivores. We highlight the
importance of acknowledging the potential impact of urbanization not only
on single species, but also on the interactions within the community.