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Honiball T, Davis RS, Ntlokwana L, Venter JA. Lion lords and sharing hyaenas: Carnivore guild dynamics around elephant carcasses. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11373. [PMID: 38711489 PMCID: PMC11070635 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Megaherbivore carcasses represent sporadic but energetically rewarding resources for carnivores, offering a unique opportunity to study coexistence dynamics between facultative scavengers. South African fenced protected areas, such as Madikwe Game Reserve (Madikwe hereafter), host viable populations of large carnivores and high densities of elephants, Loxodonta africana. However, high carnivore densities can lead to potentially fatal interspecific encounters and increased competition, particularly around high-quality trophic resources. This study explores the temporal partitioning and co-detection strategies of carnivores at six elephant carcasses in Madikwe, aiming to understand how the increased carrion biomass available at elephant carcasses influences coexistence dynamics. Camera traps were deployed to monitor carcasses during two periods (2019 and 2020), revealing occurrences of six carnivore species. Carnivores, particularly black-backed jackals, Lupulella mesomelas, (hereafter jackal), lions, Panthera leo, and spotted hyaenas, Crocuta crocuta, comprised 56.7% of carcass observations, highlighting their pivotal roles in scavenging dynamics. Pairwise co-detection analysis demonstrated consistent association and shared peak activity periods between jackals and spotted hyaenas, indicating potential resource sharing. However, the minimal co-detection rates between lions and other carnivores highlight their resource domination. There was some evidence of temporal partitioning between carnivores, with most species exhibiting earlier peaks in nocturnal activity to avoid temporal overlap with lions. This study emphasises the importance of elephant carcasses in the diet of multiple species and coexistence techniques utilised to exploit this ephemeral resource. As fenced protected areas become crucial for conserving intact carnivore guilds globally, further research into carnivore behavioural adaptations at carcasses is recommended to shed light on their coexistence strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry‐Lee Honiball
- Department of Conservation Management, Natural Resource Science and Management Cluster, Faculty of ScienceNelson Mandela UniversityGeorgeSouth Africa
| | - Robert S. Davis
- Department of Conservation Management, Natural Resource Science and Management Cluster, Faculty of ScienceNelson Mandela UniversityGeorgeSouth Africa
| | - Liyabona Ntlokwana
- Department of Conservation Management, Natural Resource Science and Management Cluster, Faculty of ScienceNelson Mandela UniversityGeorgeSouth Africa
| | - Jan A. Venter
- Department of Conservation Management, Natural Resource Science and Management Cluster, Faculty of ScienceNelson Mandela UniversityGeorgeSouth Africa
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2
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Franchini M, Atzeni L, Lovari S, Nasanbat B, Ravchig S, Herrador FC, Bombieri G, Augugliaro C. Spatiotemporal behavior of predators and prey in an arid environment of Central Asia. Curr Zool 2023; 69:670-681. [PMID: 37876635 PMCID: PMC10591146 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoac093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms of interactions between apex and smaller carnivores may range from competition to facilitation. Conversely, interactions between predators and prey are mainly driven by the prey reducing the likelihood of encounters with predators. In this study, we investigated (1) the spatiotemporal interactions between an apex (the snow leopard) and a meso-predator (the red fox), and (2) the temporal interactions between the snow leopard and its potential prey (Siberian ibex, argali, Asian wild ass, Tolai hare) through camera trapping in the Mongolian Great Gobi-A. The probability of occurrence for the red fox was higher in the presence of the snow leopard than in its absence. Moreover, the red fox activity pattern matched that of the snow leopard, with both species mostly active at sunset. This positive spatiotemporal interaction suggests that the presence of the snow leopard may be beneficial for the red fox in terms of scavenging opportunities. However, other explanations may also be possible. Amongst prey, the Siberian ibex and the argali were mainly active during the day, whereas the Asian wild ass and the Tolai hare were more nocturnal. These findings suggest that potential prey (especially the Siberian ibex and the argali) may shape their behavior to decrease the opportunity for encounters with the snow leopard. Our results have revealed complex interactions between apex and smaller predators and between apex predator and its potential prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Franchini
- Department of Research and Conservation, Wildlife Initiative Italia, Via Rovigo, 12, 31040 Pederobba (TV), Italy
- Department of Agri-Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via Sondrio 2/A, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Luciano Atzeni
- Department of Research and Conservation, Wildlife Initiative Italia, Via Rovigo, 12, 31040 Pederobba (TV), Italy
- Wildlife Institute, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Sandro Lovari
- Maremma Natural History Museum, Grosseto, and Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Battogtokh Nasanbat
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- School of Arts and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Samiya Ravchig
- School of Arts and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | | | - Giovanni Bombieri
- Department of Research and Conservation, Wildlife Initiative Italia, Via Rovigo, 12, 31040 Pederobba (TV), Italy
- World Biodiversity Association—C/o Museo Civico di Storia Naturale Lungadige Porta Vittoria, 9 37129 Verona, Italia
| | - Claudio Augugliaro
- Wildlife Initiative, Bayangol, 6th Khoroo, Micro District 10, Ulaanbaatar 210349, Mongolia
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore, Quartier Sorge, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland
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3
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Justa P, Lyngdoh S. Understanding carnivore interactions in a cold arid trans-Himalayan landscape: What drives co-existence patterns within predator guild along varying resource gradients? Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10040. [PMID: 37181213 PMCID: PMC10173057 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Predators compete for resources aggressively, forming trophic hierarchies that shape the structure of an ecosystem. Competitive interactions between species are modified in the human-altered environment and become particularly important where an introduced predator can have negative effects on native predator and prey species. The trans-Himalayan region of northern India has seen significant development in tourism and associated infrastructure over the last two decades, resulting in many changes to the natural setting of the landscape. While tourism, combined with unmanaged garbage can facilitate red fox (Vulpes vulpes), it also allows free-ranging dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), an introduced mesopredator to thrive, possibly more than the native red fox. We look at the little-known competitive dynamics of these two meso-carnivores, as well as their intra-guild interactions with the region's top carnivores, the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and the Himalayan wolf (Canis lupus chanco). To study interactions between these four carnivores, we performed multispecies occupancy modeling and analyzed spatiotemporal interactions between these predators using camera trap data. We also collected scat samples to calculate dietary niche overlaps and determine the extent of competition for food resources between these carnivores. The study found that, after controlling for habitat and prey covariates, red fox site use was related positively to snow leopard site use, but negatively to dog and wolf site use. In addition, site use of the dog was associated negatively with top predators, that is, snow leopard and Himalayan wolf, while top predators themselves related negatively in their site use. As anthropogenic impacts increase, we find that these predators coexist in this resource-scarce landscape through dietary or spatiotemporal segregation, implying competition for limited resources. Our research adds to the scant ecological knowledge of the predators in the region and improves our understanding of community dynamics in human-altered ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Justa
- Department of Landscape Level Planning & ManagementWildlife Institute of IndiaDehradunIndia
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative ResearchGhaziabadIndia
| | - Salvador Lyngdoh
- Department of Landscape Level Planning & ManagementWildlife Institute of IndiaDehradunIndia
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative ResearchGhaziabadIndia
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4
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Ji C, Li HD, Xiao W, Xu K, Ren Y, Li H, Wang P, Fan M, Huang X, Xiao Z. Fine-Scale Interactions between Leopard Cats and Their Potential Prey with Contrasting Diel Activities in a Livestock-Dominated Nature Reserve. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13081296. [PMID: 37106859 PMCID: PMC10135257 DOI: 10.3390/ani13081296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Habitat use and the temporal activities of wildlife can be largely modified by livestock encroachment. Therefore, identifying the potential impacts of livestock on the predator-prey interactions could provide essential information for wildlife conservation and management. From May to October 2017, we used camera trapping technology to investigate fine-scale spatiotemporal interactions in a predator-prey system with the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) as a common mesopredator, and its prey with contrasting activity patterns (i.e., nocturnal rats and diurnal squirrels) in a livestock-dominated nature reserve in Northern China. We found that the prey species showed different habitat preferences with the leopard cats. The nocturnal rats had strong positive effects on the site-use of the leopard cats, while the influence of livestock on the diurnal squirrels' site-use changed from strong positive effects to weak effects as the livestock disturbance increased. The temporal overlap between the leopard cats and the nocturnal rats was almost four times that of the leopard cats and the diurnal squirrels, regardless of the livestock disturbance. Our study demonstrated that the fine-scale spatiotemporal use patterns of the leopard cats were consistent and highly correlated with the nocturnal rats under livestock disturbance. We suggest that appropriate restrictions on livestock disturbance should be implemented by reserve managers to reduce the threat to wildlife and achieve multi-species coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengpeng Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hai-Dong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wenhong Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kai Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yingfeng Ren
- National Yugong Foresty of Jiyuan City, Jiyuan 454650, China
| | - Hongyun Li
- National Yugong Foresty of Jiyuan City, Jiyuan 454650, China
| | - Pengcheng Wang
- National Yugong Foresty of Jiyuan City, Jiyuan 454650, China
| | - Mingliang Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaoqun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhishu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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5
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Lu Q, Cheng C, Xiao L, Li J, Li X, Zhao X, Lu Z, Zhao J, Yao M. Food webs reveal coexistence mechanisms and community organization in carnivores. Curr Biol 2023; 33:647-659.e5. [PMID: 36669497 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.12.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Globally, massive carnivore guild extirpations have led to trophic downgrading and compromised ecosystem services. However, the complexity of multi-carnivore food webs complicates accurate identification of species interactions and community organization. Here, we used fecal DNA metabarcoding to investigate three communities that together encompass eight large- and meso-carnivore species and their 44 prey taxa of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), one of the last places on Earth that still harbors intact carnivore assemblages. Quantitative food-web analyses revealed pronounced interspecific variations in the carnivores' prey compositions and dietary partitioning both between and within guilds. Additionally, body masses of the carnivores and their prey exhibited consistent hump-shaped correlations across communities. Overall, differences in prey diversity, size category, and proportional utilization among the carnivore species result in trophic niche segregation that likely promotes carnivore coexistence in the harsh QTP environment. Network structure analyses detected significant modularity in all food webs but nestedness in only one. Furthermore, network characterization identified pikas (Ochotona spp.), bharal (Pseudois nayaur), and domestic yak (Bos grunniens) as potential keystone prey across the areas. Our results paint a holistic and detailed picture of the QTP carnivore assemblages' trophic networks and demonstrate that the combined use of the molecular dietary approach and network analysis can generate structural insights into carnivore coexistence and can identify functionally important species in complex communities. Such knowledge can help safeguard carnivore guild integrity and enhance community resilience to environmental perturbations in the sensitive QTP ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Chen Cheng
- Center for Nature and Society, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Shan Shui Conservation Center, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Lingyun Xiao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Juan Li
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Xueyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiang Zhao
- Shan Shui Conservation Center, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhi Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Center for Nature and Society, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Shan Shui Conservation Center, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jindong Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Meng Yao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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6
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Chen Y, Liu B, Fan D, Li S. Temporal Response of Mesocarnivores to Human Activity and Infrastructure in Taihang Mountains, Central North China: Shifts in Activity Patterns and Their Overlap. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040688. [PMID: 36830475 PMCID: PMC9952777 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesocarnivores play essential roles in terrestrial ecosystems, but anthropocentric disturbances have profoundly transformed their intraguild interactions worldwide. In this study, we explored how a guild of four mesocarnivores (red fox Vulpes vulpes, leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis, Asian badger Meles leucurus, and hog badger Arctonyx collaris) partition their temporal niche in the temperate montane forests in North China under different human influences. We conducted a systemic camera-trapping survey on the study species in the central Taihang Mountains from 2016 to 2020. With an extensive survey effort of 111,063 camera-days from 187 camera stations, we obtained 10,035 independent detections of the four mesocarnivores and examined the activity patterns of each species under different levels of human disturbance and their overlaps. The results showed that, while the leopard cat and the badgers shifted their activity towards nocturnality, the red fox showed no significant change. The leopard cat's degree of nocturnality varied between growing and non-growing seasons, likely a response to avoid humans and other competitors. However, the activity overlaps between species pairs demonstrated no statistically significant difference, indicating a long-developed coexistence mechanism that is homogenous across the landscape. Demonstrating how mesocarnivores shift activity patterns in response to human risks while partitioning resources, this study enhances our understanding of mesocarnivore behavioral changes and interspecific interactions at human-nature interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beibei Liu
- Chinese Felid Conservation Alliance, Beijing 101121, China
| | - Deqing Fan
- Tieqiaoshan Provincial Nature Reserve, Jinzhong 032704, China
| | - Sheng Li
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Ecology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-10-6276-0522
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7
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Bandyopadhyay M, Biswas S, Dasgupta T, Krishnamurthy R. Patterns of coexistence between two mesocarnivores in presence of anthropogenic disturbances in Western Himalaya. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:397. [PMID: 36781547 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11003-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Species' coexistence depends on species-specific resource utilization in a given habitat. Human disturbances in this context can constrain the realized niche by altering their community dynamics. In this study, we considered Western Himalaya as a case study to test the hypothesis that human disturbances influence mesocarnivore coexistence patterns. We regarded red fox and leopard cat as the focal species and assessed the coexistence patterns in low and high human disturbance areas in three dimensions: spatial, temporal, and dietary habit. We used camera trap detections and mitochondrial DNA-based species identification of fecal samples. We used generalized linear mixed-effect modelling (GLMM), activity overlap, Levin's niche breadth, and Pianka's overlap index to capture the spatial, temporal, and dietary interactions respectively. We found that red fox and leopard cat coexisted by spatial segregation in low human disturbance area, whereas dietary segregation was the means of coexistence in high human disturbance area. We observed a broader dietary breadth for red fox and a narrower for leopard cat in high human disturbance area. The altered coexistence pattern due to differential human disturbances indicates intensive anthropogenic activities adjacent to natural forests. It can link to increased opportunities for shared spaces between mesocarnivores and humans, leading to future disease spread and conflicts. Our study contributes to scant ecological knowledge of these mesocarnivores and adds to our understanding of community dynamics in human-altered ecosystems. The study elucidates the need for long-term monitoring of wildlife inhabiting interface areas to ensure human and wildlife coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghna Bandyopadhyay
- Department of Landscape Level Planning and Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Suvankar Biswas
- Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Tryambak Dasgupta
- Department of Landscape Level Planning and Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Ramesh Krishnamurthy
- Department of Landscape Level Planning and Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
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8
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Yanwen F, Guojing Z, Wenqian D, Yue W, Jiawei L, Mengyu T, Yan L, Haoran L, Bing X, Xiao J, Enyu F, Lulu Z, Jian C, Lei Y, Chenghao W, Yongfeng C, Guoqiang C, Yong Z, Kezi L, Haitao Y, Xuemei H, Jianping G, Jun Z, Limin F. Surprising leopard restoration in fragmented ecosystems reveals connections as the secret to conservation success. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159790. [PMID: 36309282 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The Chinese Loess Plateau has been the cradle of Chinese civilization and the main human settlement in China for thousands of years, where anthropogenic activities are believed to have deeply eroded natural landscapes. After decades of minimal leopard sighting in forests of northern China, due to serious human interference, we recently discovered that the leopard population is recovering. This finding provides hope for successful biodiversity conservation in human-dominated ecosystems. To understand the mechanism of leopard return into such a highly fragmented landscape, we applied the concept of ecological networks (ENs) to identify key factors promoting leopard restoration and quantify the ecological links among habitats. We first determined the existence of a healthy leopard population in the study area based on the size of its home range and presence of breeding individuals. We then innovatively used the relationship between species richness and top predators to generate ENs, and found that the connectivity of ENs had a significant positive interaction with leopard survival. Our study validates the effectiveness of establishing ecologically connected habitats for leopard protection, and highlights the importance of applying ENs for conservation planning in highly fragmented ecosystems. This study provides a successful case for the protection of top predators in human-dominated landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Yanwen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhao Guojing
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Dai Wenqian
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Wang Yue
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Jiawei
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Tan Mengyu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Yan
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Liu Haoran
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xie Bing
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Behavioural Ecology Group, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jin Xiao
- Shanxi Biodiversity Conservation Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Fan Enyu
- Wutaishan State-owned Forest Administration Bureau, Shanxi, China
| | - Zhao Lulu
- Shanxi Lincao Biodiversity Science and Technology Consulting Co., Ltd., Taiyuan, China
| | - Cao Jian
- Yan'an Wildlife Protection and Management Station, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yue Lei
- Yan'an Wildlife Protection and Management Station, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wu Chenghao
- Administration of Ziwuling National Nature Reserve, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chen Yongfeng
- Administration of Ziwuling National Nature Reserve, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chen Guoqiang
- Administration of Ziwuling National Nature Reserve, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhang Yong
- Administration of Ziwuling National Nature Reserve, Shaanxi, China
| | - Luo Kezi
- Administration of Ziwuling National Nature Reserve, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yang Haitao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Han Xuemei
- Han EcoAnalytics, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Ge Jianping
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhu Jun
- Shanxi Biodiversity Conservation Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Feng Limin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
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9
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Banjade M, Jeong YH, Jin SD, Son SH, Kunwar A, Park SM, Lee JW, Choi SH, Oh HS. Spatiotemporal overlap between Siberian roe deer ( Capreolus pygargus tianschanicus) and sympatric mammalian species on Jeju Island, South Korea. MAMMALIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2022-0059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Analysis of spatiotemporal partitioning is pivotal to shed light on interspecific coexistence. Most research efforts have involved large-sized carnivores and their prey species, whereas little attention has been given to ungulate in the predator-free ecosystems. We assessed seasonal activity patterns and spatiotemporal overlap among the Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus tianschanicus) and its sympatric species through camera-trapping from October 2017 and September 2020 in Jeju Island, South Korea. Trap events when compared seasonally, roe deer show higher activity in summer (34.9%), a pronounced low in winter (14.1%), and a moderate in autumn (23.8%) and in spring (26.9%). Roe deer exhibited bimodal activity patterns and had the highest spatiotemporal overlap and composite score with sika deer (Cervus nippon). Our results are among the few available data on the interaction of sympatric species and suggest strong overlapping with sika deer. This study provides important insight into species coexistence in predator-free habitats, which would be important for management initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maniram Banjade
- Practical Translational Research Center , Jeju National Univeristy , Jeju-si , South Korea
| | - Young-Hun Jeong
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science , Jeju National University , Jeju 63243 , South Korea
| | - Seon-Deok Jin
- National Institute of Ecology , Seocheon-gun Chungnam 33657 , South Korea
| | - Se Hwan Son
- National Institute of Ecology , Seocheon-gun Chungnam 33657 , South Korea
| | - Amar Kunwar
- Community Ecology and Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden , Chinese Academy of Science , Beijing , P. R. China
| | - Seon-Mi Park
- Practical Translational Research Center , Jeju National Univeristy , Jeju-si , South Korea
| | - Jun-Won Lee
- Faculty of Science Education , Jeju National University , Jeju 63243 , South Korea
| | - Sung-Hwan Choi
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science , Jeju National University , Jeju 63243 , South Korea
| | - Hong-Shik Oh
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science , Jeju National University , Jeju 63243 , South Korea
- Faculty of Science Education , Jeju National University , Jeju 63243 , South Korea
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10
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Ikeda T, Higashide D, Shichijo T. Impact of human disturbance in Japan on the distribution and diel activity pattern of terrestrial mammals. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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11
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Bandyopadhyay M, Burton AC, Gupta SK, Krishnamurthy R. Understanding the distribution and fine-scale habitat selection of mesocarnivores along a habitat quality gradient in western Himalaya. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13993. [PMID: 36132214 PMCID: PMC9484455 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Human activities have resulted in a rapid increase of modified habitats in proximity to wildlife habitats in the Himalaya. However, it is crucial to understand the extent to which human habitat modification affects wildlife. Mesocarnivores generally possess broader niches than large carnivores and adapt quickly to human activities. Here, we use a case study in the western Himalaya to test the hypothesis that human disturbance influenced mesocarnivore habitat use. Methods: We used camera trapping and mitochondrial DNA-based species identification from faecal samples to obtain mesocarnivore detections. We then compared the responses of mesocarnivores between an anthropogenic site and a less disturbed park along a contiguous gradient in habitat quality. The non-linear pattern in species-specific habitat selection and factors responsible for space usage around villages was captured using hierarchical generalized additive modelling (HGAM) and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination. Results: Wildlife occurrences along the gradient varied by species. Leopard cat and red fox were the only terrestrial mesocarnivores that occurred in both anthropogenic site and park. We found a shift in habitat selection from less disturbed habitat in the park to disturbed habitat in anthropogenic site for the species detected in both the habitat types. For instance, red fox showed habitat selection towards high terrain ruggedness (0.5 to 0.7 TRI) and low NDVI (-0.05 to 0.2) in the park but no such specific selection in anthropogenic site. Further, leopard cat showed habitat selection towards moderate slope (20°) and medium NDVI (0.5) in park but no prominent habitat selections in anthropogenic site. The results revealed their constrained behaviour which was further supported by the intensive site usage close to houses, agricultural fields and human trails in villages. Conclusions: Our results indicate shifts in habitat selection and intensive site usage by mesocarnivores in the human-modified habitat. In future, this suggests the possibility of conflict and disease spread affecting both the people and wildlife. Therefore, this study highlights the requisite to test the wildlife responses to rapidly growing human expansions in modified habitats to understand the extent of impact. The management strategies need to have an integrated focus for further expansions of modified habitat and garbage disposal strategies, especially in the human-wildlife interface area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A. Cole Burton
- Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Ramesh Krishnamurthy
- Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India,Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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12
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Evaluating the temporal and spatio-temporal niche partitioning between carnivores by different analytical method in northeastern Japan. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11987. [PMID: 35835847 PMCID: PMC9283404 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16020-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporal and spatio-temporal niche partitioning is an important strategy for carnivore coexistence. Camera-trap data has been analyzed through several methods to assess the temporal and spatio-temporal niche partitioning. However, different analytical approaches used to may evaluate niche partitioning detect different results. In this study, we evaluated the temporal or spatio-temporal partitioning among sympatric medium-sized carnivores, red foxes, raccoon dogs, and Japanese martens, based on three analytical methods-the temporal overlap, temporal co-occurrence, and time-to-encounter analysis-to evaluate. From May to October 2019 and 2020, we obtained the activity of the target species using camera-traps in northeastern Japan. We analyzed the data with the coefficient of temporal overlap, probabilistic co-occurrence analysis, checkerboard score, and multi-response permutation procedures. The results of the assessment of the niche partitioning differed depending on the analytical methods based on temporal and spatio-temporal partitioning. Therefore, we conclude that the choice of analytical approach is important for evaluating the temporal and spatio-temporal niche partitioning.
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13
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Zaman M, Roberts NJ, Zhu M, Vitekere K, Wang M, Jiang G. Temporal activity patterns of North China leopards and their prey in response to moonlight and habitat factors. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9032. [PMID: 35784060 PMCID: PMC9219109 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The nocturnal activities of predators and prey are influenced by several factors, including physiological adaptations, habitat quality and, we suspect, corresponds to changes in brightness of moonlight according to moon phase. In this study, we used a dataset from 102 camera traps to explore which factors are related to the activity pattern of North China leopards (Panthera pardus japonensis) in Shanxi Tieqiaoshan Provincial Nature Reserve (TPNR), China. We found that nocturnal activities of leopards were irregular during four different lunar phases, and while not strictly lunar philic or lunar phobic, their temporal activity was highest during the brighter moon phases (especially the last quarter) and lower during the new moon phase. On the contrary, roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) exhibited lunar philic activity, while wild boar (Sus scrofa) and tolai hare (Lepus tolai) were evidently lunar phobic, with high and low temporal activity during the full moon, respectively. In terms of temporal overlap, there was positive overlap between leopards and their prey species, including roe deer and tolai hare, while leopard activity did not dip to the same low level of wild boar during the full moon phase. Human activities also more influenced the temporal activity of leopards and wild boar than other species investigated. Generally, our results suggested that besides moonlight risk index (MRI), cloud cover and season have diverse effects on leopard and prey nocturnal activity. Finally, distinct daytime and nighttime habitats were identified, with leopards, wild boar, and tolai hare all using lower elevations at night and higher elevations during the day, while leopards and roe deer were closer to secondary roads during the day than at night.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Zaman
- Feline Research Center of China National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected AreaNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Nathan James Roberts
- Feline Research Center of China National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected AreaNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Mengyan Zhu
- Feline Research Center of China National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected AreaNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
- College of Life ScienceYanan UniversityYananChina
| | - Kasereka Vitekere
- Feline Research Center of China National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected AreaNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
- University of GomaGomaDemocratic Republic of Congo
| | - Meng Wang
- Feline Research Center of China National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected AreaNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
- Chengdu ZooChengduChina
| | - Guangshun Jiang
- Feline Research Center of China National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected AreaNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
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14
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Chaudhuri S, Bandyopadhyay M, Rajaraman R, Kalyanasundaram S, Sathyakumar S, Krishnamurthy R. Spatio-Temporal Patterns and Source-Dispersion Modeling Towards Sloth Bear–Human Conflict Management in Central India. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2022.850309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of humans on biodiversity, in the form of the spatially extensive occurrence of humans and subsequent habitat degradation, leads to negative interactions between humans and native wildlife. However, knowledge of the spatial and temporal interface between humans and wildlife is necessary to understand the root cause of such negative interactions, yet considerably understudied in the context of human-dominated landscapes in south and south-eastern Asia. We took this opportunity, gaining insights on seasonal spatial interaction and spatio-temporal overlap between sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) and humans, and subsequently predicted the conflict source sites and dispersion (i.e., hotspots) based on the robust geographic profiling (GP) method in the Sanjay Tiger Reserve (STR), a human-dominated landscape of central India. Detection data of sloth bear and human were obtained from camera trap survey conducted for two years (2017–2018) and records of conflict incidents (2009–2019) were collected from forest department. We found that sloth bears can co-occur with humans independently of seasons, based on occupancy models. However, during summer, higher temporal overlap (Δ4 = 0.46) and lower spatial overlap (0.31) were observed between sloth bears and humans. Contrastingly, lower temporal overlap (Δ4 = 0.29) and higher spatial overlap (0.44) were observed between the same two during winter. The activity patterns of sloth bears and humans differed significantly across seasons and within the same species in different seasons. Our findings indicated that significant changes in human activity, especially during summer, increased the likelihood of sloth bear-human interaction and subsequent conflict incidents. The mapping of conflict source and dispersion (with high accuracy) also predicted a greater probability of conflict during summer, compared to winter, and thus showed the successful application of GP models in this field. Also, camera trap data alone were able to predict the occurrence of hotspots, demonstrating the use of camera trap records in the successful prediction of source-dispersion of conflict. This study would be useful for decision-makers to alleviate sloth bear–human conflict based on insights on seasonal variation of spatio-temporal overlap between the two and direct conservation efforts accordingly.
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15
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Ji Y, Liu F, Li D, Chen Z, Chen P. Spatial–Temporal Patterns of Sympatric Asiatic Black Bears (Ursus thibetanus) and Brown Bears (Ursus arctos) in Northeastern China. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12101262. [PMID: 35625108 PMCID: PMC9137604 DOI: 10.3390/ani12101262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Studying the spatial and temporal interactions between sympatric animal species is essential for understanding the mechanisms of interspecific coexistence. Both Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) and brown bears (Ursus arctos) inhabit northeastern China, but their spatial–temporal patterns and the mechanism of coexistence were unclear until now. Camera traps were set in Heilongjiang Taipinggou National Nature Reserve (TPGNR) from January 2017 to December 2017 to collect photos of the two sympatric bear species. The Pianka index, kernel density estimation, and the coefficient of overlap were used to analyze the spatial and temporal patterns of the two sympatric species. Our findings indicated that the spatial overlap between Asiatic black bears and brown bears was low, as Asiatic black bears occupied higher elevations than brown bears. The two species’ temporal activity patterns were similar at sites where only one species existed, yet they were different at the co–occurrence sites. Asiatic black bears and brown bears are competitors in this area, but they can coexist by changing their daily activity patterns. Compared to brown bears, Asiatic black bears behaved more diurnally. Our study revealed distinct spatial and temporal differentiation within the two species in TPGNR, which can reduce interspecific competition and facilitate coexistence between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunrui Ji
- Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; (Y.J.); (D.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; (Y.J.); (D.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100091, China
- Correspondence: (F.L.); (P.C.)
| | - Diqiang Li
- Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; (Y.J.); (D.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Zhiyu Chen
- The Administration of Duluhe Provincial Wetland Nature Reserve, Hegang 154100, China;
| | - Peng Chen
- College of Landscape Architecture, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Correspondence: (F.L.); (P.C.)
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16
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Müller L, Briers‐Louw WD, Amin R, Lochner CS, Leslie AJ. Carnivore coexistence facilitated by spatial and dietary partitioning and fine‐scale behavioural avoidance in a semi‐arid ecosystem. J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lana Müller
- The Cape Leopard Trust Cape Town South Africa
| | | | - Rajan Amin
- Conservation Programmes Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park London UK
| | | | - Alison Jane Leslie
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch Western Cape South Africa
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17
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Occurrence and Abundance of an Apex Predator and a Sympatric Mesopredator in Rural Areas of the Coastal Range of Southern Chile. LAND 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/land11010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The two mammalian carnivores, puma (Puma concolor) and South American grey fox (Lycalopex griseus) were studied, in a remote area located in the humid temperate forest of the coastal range of southern Chile. A total of six locations were selected in three landscapes: pre-mountain range, mountain range, and coast. The chosen study locations are relevant because they correspond to threatened areas with different levels of human intervention., so they offer the ideal setting for studying how different species of carnivores respond to both human presence and activities. A dataset was collected for 24 months during 2016–2018 through photo-trapping (13 camera traps placed along 50 photo-trap stations). Wes estimated the apparent occurrence and relative abundance index (RAI) of the fauna registered, by means of generalized linear models to contrast those of an apex predator, such as the puma and a sympatric mesopredator, the South American grey fox, across the three landscapes. The ecological variables assessed were the RAI of the other carnivore considered, exotic carnivores such as dogs and cats, human intervention, farmland effect, prey availability, and habitat quality. The primary hypothesis was that the apparent occurrence and RAI of puma and fox would be positively associated with the RAI of prey and livestock and negatively with human intervention. On the other hand, the secondary hypothesis dealt with the interactions between puma and fox faced with different degrees of human intervention. The results showed that the apparent occurrence of the puma was statistically explained by location only, and it was highest at the mountain range. The apparent occurrence of foxes was explained by both puma apparent occurrence and relative integrated anthropization index (INRA), being highest in the pre-mountain range. Concerning the RAI of pumas, high values were yielded by location and fox RAI. For the RAI of foxes, they were location, puma RAI, and INRA. It can be suggested that eucalyptus plantations from the pre-mountain range could offer an adequate habitat for the puma and the fox, but not the coastal range, as the mountain range could be acting as a biological barrier. Due to the nature of the data, it was not possible to detect any relevant effect between the two carnivores’ considered, between their respective preys, or the very abundant presence of dogs.
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18
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Vernes K, Rajaratnam R, Dorji S. Patterns of species co-occurrence in a diverse Eastern Himalayan montane carnivore community. MAMMAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-021-00605-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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19
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Webster AB, Pretorius ME, Somers MJ. The Determinants of Mesocarnivore Activity Patterns in Highveld Grassland and Riparian Habitats. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.3957/056.051.0178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea B. Webster
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Mariëtte E. Pretorius
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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20
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Augugliaro C, Anile S, Munkhtsog B, Janchivlamdan C, Batzorig E, Mazzon I, Nielsen C. Activity overlap between mesocarnivores and prey in the Central Mongolian steppe. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2021.1975312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Augugliaro
- Department of Research and Conservation, Wildlife Initiative NGO, Ulaanbaatar 210349, Mongolia
| | - Stefano Anile
- Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Bariushaa Munkhtsog
- Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 13330, Mongolia
| | - Choikhand Janchivlamdan
- Department of Research and Conservation, Wildlife Initiative NGO, Ulaanbaatar 210349, Mongolia
| | - Enkhzorig Batzorig
- Department of Biology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 14201, Mongolia
| | - Ivan Mazzon
- Department of Research and Conservation, Wildlife Initiative NGO, Ulaanbaatar 210349, Mongolia
| | - Clayton Nielsen
- Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
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21
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Gong Y, Zhao G, Yang H, Li Y, Tan M, Wang N, Ge J, Yang H, Feng L. Prevalence of Varied Coat Coloration in a Yellow-Throated Marten ( Martes flavigula) Population. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11102838. [PMID: 34679859 PMCID: PMC8532798 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Abnormal coloration is very rare in any given population of wildlife; however, our research identified a yellow-throated marten population with a high ratio of this phenomenon for the first time. Across the main distribution of the species with relevant observational data, we observed abnormally-colored martens in only Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park. Abnormal coloration had a variety of forms and individuals with white paws that accounted for a larger proportion of the overall population than normal individuals. This shows heritable variation in the region, which is worthy of further research. Abstract Mammalian coat color is determined by heritable variations such as disease, nutrition, and hormone levels. Variation in animal coat color is also considered an environmental indicator and provides clues for the study of population genetics and biogeography. Records of abnormal coloration in the wild are rare, not only because it is often selected against, but also because of the difficulties in detection of the phenomenon. We used long-term camera-trapping data to first report abnormal coat coloration in yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula) in China. Six types of abnormal coloration were found only in the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, Northeast China, which were not reported in other regions in China. A total of 268 videos of Martes flavigula contained normal coloration, 455 videos of individuals of the species contained abnormal coloration, 437 contained the ‘gloving’ type (martens with de-pigmented front toes, paws or lower forelimbs), while the remaining other 18 videos contained five types (different degrees of white-spotting and dilution). The higher relative abundance index (0.428, ‘gloving’ to 0.329, normal) and wide distribution area of the ‘gloving’ type indicated that this abnormal coat coloration type is usual in Northeast China, which may reflect genetic variability in the local population. These records will contribute to further research on animal coat color and its corresponding adaptive strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Haitao Yang
- Correspondence: (H.Y.); (L.F.); Tel.: +86-188-1314-8633 (H.Y.); +86-186-0039-9715 (L.F.)
| | - Limin Feng
- Correspondence: (H.Y.); (L.F.); Tel.: +86-188-1314-8633 (H.Y.); +86-186-0039-9715 (L.F.)
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22
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Tan MK, Robillard T. Highly diversified circadian rhythms in the calling activity of eneopterine crickets (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Gryllidae) from Southeast Asia. BIOACOUSTICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2021.1973562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Kai Tan
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution et Biodiversité (ISYEB, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS, SU, EPHE, UA, Paris, France
| | - Tony Robillard
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution et Biodiversité (ISYEB, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS, SU, EPHE, UA, Paris, France
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23
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“When the felid’s away, the mesocarnivores play”: seasonal temporal segregation in a neotropical carnivore guild. Mamm Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00110-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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24
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Viviano A, Mori E, Fattorini N, Mazza G, Lazzeri L, Panichi A, Strianese L, Mohamed WF. Spatiotemporal Overlap between the European Brown Hare and Its Potential Predators and Competitors. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:562. [PMID: 33669965 PMCID: PMC7924828 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Analysis of spatiotemporal partitioning is pivotal to shed light on interspecific coexistence. Most research effort has involved large-sized carnivores and their prey, whereas little attention has been devoted to lagomorphs. We assessed spatiotemporal overlap among the European brown hare Lepus europaeus and its potential competitors and predators through camera-trapping in an area in Central Italy. We estimated the interspecific patterns of the spatiotemporal activity rhythms of brown hares, its potential predators (the red fox Vulpes vulpes, the pine marten Martes martes, the domestic cat Felis catus, and the domestic dog Canis familiaris), and a competitor, the roe deer Capreolus capreolus. Brown hare activity was studied in natural conditions as well as in a fenced area that excluded terrestrial predators and competitors. Free-ranging hares developed a more nocturnal behavior to avoid diurnal predators (i.e., domestic carnivores and martens). Although high temporal overlap was observed between free-ranging brown hares and both red foxes (82%) and roe deer (81%), hares avoided fox by being more active on darkest nights, as well as avoided roe deer through spatial partitioning. We suggest that hares may adapt their spatiotemporal behavior to avoid potential predators and competitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Viviano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Università degli Studi di Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Emiliano Mori
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Niccolò Fattorini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e Politiche–ESP, Università di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Lazzeri
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Panichi
- Dipartimento di Biologia, dell’Università di Firenze, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy;
| | - Luigi Strianese
- Associazione Nazionale Libera Caccia, 58100 Grosseto, Italy;
| | - Walid Fathy Mohamed
- Department of Biological and Geological Sciences, Faculty of Education, Ain Shams University, Roxy, Cairo 11566, Egypt;
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25
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Bhatt U, Singh Adhikari B, Habib B, Lyngdoh S. Temporal interactions and moon illumination effect on mammals in a tropical semievergreen forest of Manas National Park, Assam, India. Biotropica 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Urjit Bhatt
- Department of Animal Ecology & Conservation Biology Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun Uttarakhand India
| | | | - Bilal Habib
- Department of Animal Ecology & Conservation Biology Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun Uttarakhand India
| | - Salvador Lyngdoh
- Department of Animal Ecology & Conservation Biology Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun Uttarakhand India
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26
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Temporal overlap among small- and medium-sized mammals in a grassland and a forest–alpine meadow of Central Asia. Mamm Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-020-00085-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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27
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Linck P, Tirelli FP, Bastos MC, Fonseca AN, Cardoso LF, Trigo TC. Daily activity patterns and occurrence of Leopardus guttulus (Carnivora, Felidae) in Lami Biological Reserve, southern Brazil. IHERINGIA. SERIE ZOOLOGIA 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4766e2021006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paloma Linck
- Secretaria Estadual de Meio Ambiente e Infraestrutura, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Flávia P. Tirelli
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Instituto Pró-Carnívoros, Brazil
| | | | - Anderson N. Fonseca
- Reserva Biológica do Lami José Lutzenberger, Brazil; Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Brazil
| | | | - Tatiane C. Trigo
- Secretaria Estadual de Meio Ambiente e Infraestrutura, Brazil; Instituto Pró-Carnívoros, Brazil
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Vilella M, Ferrandiz‐Rovira M, Sayol F. Coexistence of predators in time: Effects of season and prey availability on species activity within a Mediterranean carnivore guild. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:11408-11422. [PMID: 33144974 PMCID: PMC7593183 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The degree of coexistence among predators can determine the structure of ecological communities. Niche partitioning is a common strategy applied by species to enhance their coexistence. Diet, habitat, or time use can be responsible for segregation among carnivore species, the latter factor being the least studied in Mediterranean ecosystems. Terrestrial medium-sized carnivores (i.e., mesocarnivores) carry out important functions in ecosystems, and identifying their interactions is essential for their conservation.In this study, we explore the activity of a terrestrial mesocarnivore guild in order to determine seasonal differences in daily activity patterns of competitors and prey. We also investigate how the abundance of a common mesocarnivore prey in the region, small mammals, influences the activity of predators.During a year, camera trap devices (n = 18) were installed in Montseny Natural Park (Catalan Pre-Coastal Range, North-East Iberian Peninsula), a region that hosts five mesocarnivore species. Camera trapping detections were used to estimate their daily activity patterns and corresponding overlaps. We also surveyed small mammal plots (n = 5) in order to calculate prey abundance and test its effect on the relative activity of each carnivore species.Despite all target mesocarnivores are mainly nocturnal, the activity overlap among them varies according to species particularities and season. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) appears as a generalist species in terms of time use, whereas stone marten (Martes foina) and genet (Genetta genetta) show the most similar activity patterns and both of them seem to be positively influenced by small mammal abundance. Overall, the diversity found in the way mesocarnivore species use time could facilitate their coexistence.Despite activity pattern similarities among carnivore species should not be directly translated to negative interactions, they can have a strong influence in habitat and resource-limited ecosystems. Therefore, activity overlaps should be taken into account when discussing wildlife management actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Vilella
- Delegació d’Osona (GNO‐ICHN)Institució Catalana d’Història NaturalVicSpain
| | - Mariona Ferrandiz‐Rovira
- CREAFCerdanyola del VallèsCataloniaSpain
- Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaCerdanyola del VallèsCataloniaSpain
| | - Ferran Sayol
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment ResearchDepartment of Genetics, Evolution and EnvironmentUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Department of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity CentreGothenburgSweden
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Yang H, Xie B, Zhao G, Gong Y, Mou P, Ge J, Feng L. Elusive cats in our backyards: persistence of the North Chinese leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis) in a human-dominated landscape in central China. Integr Zool 2020; 16:67-83. [PMID: 32822100 PMCID: PMC7820953 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The North Chinese leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis), the least‐known big cat, disappeared in most historical range for decades, following the development of modern civilization. Unfortunately, we have scarce knowledge about the status of this big cat so far, apart from anecdotal reports. In this study, we investigated density, distribution, and habitat use of the leopard, the apex predator, in a complex forest landscape in the Loess Plateau. We used a camera‐trapping network to obtain population estimates for leopards over 2 years through spatially explicit capture–recapture models. Our results, based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian/MCMC methods, reveal that the largest wild population of the leopard was found widely distributed in remnant forests in central Loess plateau. The population is increasing in our study area, and the density of leopards (1.70 (SE = 0.48) − 2.40 (SE = 0.67)/100 km2) is higher than other areas of China. According to the analysis of 2 seasonal occupancy models, prey species drive partially the leopard habitat use, predicting that the big cat thrives from the recovery of prey community. However, human disturbances, especially oil wells, seem to have negative impacts on the habitat use of leopards. Specifically, it is necessary to have joint efforts by the government and researchers to improve human disturbances management and prey species population density, as well as strengthen the investment in research on the North Chinese leopard, which could all further strengthen protection ability and ensure the long‐term survival of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Yang
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Xie
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.,Behavioural Ecology Group, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Guojing Zhao
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yinan Gong
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Pu Mou
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianping Ge
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Limin Feng
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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