Phylogeny Drives Carrion Consumption by Vertebrate Scavengers Towards Distantly Related Species

Abstract

Carrion is a highly nutritious resource that attracts diverse organisms and plays a key role in ecosystem functioning. However, it could also pose pathogen risks, especially from phylogenetically close carcass-scavenger pairs sharing traits that facilitate transmission. Although phylogenetic distance has long been suggested to influence scavenger feeding patterns, evidence remains scarce and limited at specific scales. To address this gap, we used camera-trap monitoring to record scavenging events on fish, bird, and mammal carcasses in a Mediterranean wetland and evaluated how phylogenetic distance between vertebrate scavengers and available carcasses shaped feeding patterns. Our results revealed a consistent pattern across the assemblage, showing that scavengers consumed carcasses that were more phylogenetically distant than expected by chance, although this pattern varied slightly between taxonomic classes and at the species level. Our findings suggest the existence of a natural mechanism by which scavengers may reduce pathogen exposure when selecting carcasses.