Are Omnivores Partitioning Resources?

C.H. Smith, H.A. Merrill, H.N. Sherbert, E.A. McDonald, and E.K. Prince

Increased competition between species who share resources has been known to lead to resource partitioning. The relationship between raccoons (Procyon lotor) and opossums (Didelphis virginiana) has been previously studied, but how these species adjust to increased competition due to the presence of a new competitor, the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), is unknown. In this study we observed raccoons, opossums, and nine-banded armadillos to determine if temporal and spatial resource partitioning are occurring. We found no evidence of spatial resource partitioning between the three species. However, we did find evidence of temporal partitioning between raccoons and opossums, and raccoons and armadillos. Our results show that competition is driving species to avoid each other in time, but not space.

• Cayla Smith is currently a junior biology major with minors in chemistry and psychology. She is part of the Rotaract Club and the TriBeta Honor Society. She plans to attend medical school after graduating from Lander.

• Hunter Merrell is a senior biology major from Beaufort in his second year doing faculty-guided research. Hunter received a research grant from the TriBeta Research Scholarship Foundation; he plans on pursuing graduate education and a career in conservation or wildlife management.

• Haley Sherbert is a junior biology major with a psychology minor. She is planning to attend physical therapy school after finishing at Lander. Haley is a member TriBeta, ESSO, and Rotaract Club.