Abstract

Carnivores are relevant species in ecosystems due their function, but habitat fragmentation and loss threaten their survival on a global scale. Some aspects of its ecology are poorly understood, mainly those related to their relationship with other species. In this sense, activity pattern is an important factor that modulates this interaction, since through the temporal segregation of species their coexistence can be maintained in sympatry. Using camera traps, activity patterns of the local vertebrates were evaluated, and their overlap and that of their prey in a forest fragment in south-central Chile were examined. Four species of native carnivores were recorded, plus humans and dogs. Native carnivores exhibited a predominantly nocturnal activity pattern with intermediate overlaps; however, this was low among carnivores when compared with humans and dogs. Regarding the circadian overlay with potential prey, it varied from low to moderate, which was related to their own size and that of the predator. The role of humans and dogs in reshaping the network of interactions is discussed, whereby temporal differentiation between species and prey would be modified.