Global Expansion of Pavo cristatus: Comparing Ecology in Native vs Invasive Ranges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59436/jsiane.484.2583-2093Keywords:
Pavo cristatus, ecological, predator pressure, adaptable behavior, ecological plasticityAbstract
Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) is one of the most widely recognized bird species native to India's sub-continent and Sri Lanka. Its visual beauty and values it has held within cultures across most of the world, have contributed to it being introduced globally: United States, Australia, South Africa, and various islands have all seen populations of this species. Though the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN, 2023), currently lists this species as least-concern. The establishment of this peafowl's range outside of its traditional range creates many significant environmental issues. This study will investigate and document the ecology of Pavo cristatus in both its indigenous and introduced ranges. In the native range this species inhabits primarily dry forest, agricultural, and village habitats; therefore, their established population numbers are also usually kept relatively low by their natural predation. Peafowl in areas where they are non-native frequently resided in residential neighbourhoods, on estates or in landscapes dominated by humans where they face reduced predation. Invasive populations are generally successful at establishing themselves into a new area because they are capable of adapting to their new environments as well as feeding behaviours; they can utilise a versatile diet; and they tolerate living in close association with humans. The paper explores differences in habitat selection, feeding habits, reproductive adaptations, predator-prey interactions, and ecological effects of Pavo cristatus in native compared to exotic sites as well as identifying gaps in our current knowledge including a lack of long-term population monitoring and very few in-depth, long-term genetic and ecological studies related to this species. Improving our understanding of how Pavo cristatus adapts to disparate habitats will contribute to our understanding of invasion ecology, ecological plasticity and wildlife management during the Anthropocene epoch.
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