Effects of camera trap placement on photo rates of jaguars, their prey, and competitors in northwestern Costa Rica

Abstract The use of camera‐trap methods, though important, has pitfalls and inconsistencies such as factors interactions that may influence species photo rates. Jaguar ( Panthera onca ) studies place cameras at sites where jaguar detections are likely greater (e.g., with previous evidence tracks, feces, other presence signs), but do not account for potential placement biases. Our study evaluated methodological implications a paired design trail off‐trail locations, climate seasonality, on rates jaguars, their prey, competitors. From June 2016 to 2017, camera traps were deployed 58 different in hexagon grid array 3 km 2 each the Sector Santa Rosa (SSR) Área de Conservación Guancaste Costa Rica. Half located location jaguars use, half an closest centroid. We estimated photographic relative abundance index (RAI; no. independent photos/100 trap nights) used Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) assess statistical seasonality. With total effort 19,408 nights, we recorded 12,678 events 64 amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals. For bird 14 mammal focused on, most species‐specific RAIs locations n = 8 species, including pumas [ Puma concolor ]), some collared peccaries Pecari tajacu there was no discernable effect others 7 tapirs Tapirus bairdii ] white‐tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus ]). sex ratio data showed smaller proportion males locations. Analysis competitor prey interaction indicated temporal segregation Further should highlight important source bias might results; hence, conservationists must be aware this avoid erroneous decisions.