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Mayhew DS, Hearn AJ, Devineau O, Linnell JD, Macdonald DW. Loss of Sunda clouded leopards and forest integrity drive potential impacts of mesopredator release on vulnerable avifauna. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32801. [PMID: 38975237 PMCID: PMC11225837 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32801] [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: 06/02/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Amongst the unintended consequences of anthropogenic landscape conversion is declining apex predator abundance linked to loss of forest integrity, which can potentially re-order trophic networks. One such re-ordering, known as mesopredator release, occurs when medium-sized predators, also called mesopredators, rapidly increase in abundance following the decline in apex predator abundance, consequently reducing the abundance of mesopredator prey, notably including terrestrial avifauna. We examine the cascading impacts of declining Sunda clouded leopard abundance, itself consequent upon a reduction in forest integrity, on the mesopredator community of Sabah, Malaysia, to determine whether the phenomenon of mesopredator release is manifest and specifically whether it impacts the terrestrial avifauna community of pheasants and pittas. To explore this trophic interaction, we used a piecewise structural equation model to compare changes in the relative abundance of organisms. Our results suggest that loss of forest integrity may have broad impacts on the community and trigger mesopredator release, the two acting additively in their impact on already vulnerable species of terrestrial avifauna: a result not previously documented in tropical systems and rarely detected even on a global scale. The limiting effect that the Sunda clouded leopard has on the Sunda leopard cat could illuminate the mechanism whereby mesopredator release impacts this system. Both Bulwer's pheasant and pittas appear to be significantly impacted by the increase in Sunda leopard cats, while the great argus pheasant shows similar compelling, although not statistically significant, declines as Sunda leopard cats increase. The inverse relationship between Sunda clouded leopards and Sunda leopard cats suggests that if a mesopredator release exists it could have downstream consequences for some terrestrial avifauna. These results suggest the under-studied interface between mammalian carnivores and avifauna, or more broadly species interactions in general, could offer important conservation tool for holistic ecosystem conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darwin S. Mayhew
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences - Campus Evenstad, Anne Evenstads Vei 80, 2480, Koppang, Norway
| | - Andrew J. Hearn
- WildCRU, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Rd, Tubney, OX13 5QL, United Kingdom
| | - Olivier Devineau
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences - Campus Evenstad, Anne Evenstads Vei 80, 2480, Koppang, Norway
| | - John D.C. Linnell
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences - Campus Evenstad, Anne Evenstads Vei 80, 2480, Koppang, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Vormstuguveien 40, 2624, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - David W. Macdonald
- WildCRU, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Rd, Tubney, OX13 5QL, United Kingdom
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Kaszta Ż, Cushman SA, Hearn A, Sloan S, Laurance WF, Haidir IA, Macdonald DW. Projected development in Borneo and Sumatra will greatly reduce connectivity for an apex carnivore. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170256. [PMID: 38253102 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170256] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The islands of Borneo and Sumatra are strongholds for biodiversity and home for many endemic species. They also have experienced amongst the highest deforestation rates globally. Both islands are undergoing massive, rapid infrastructure development, leading to further deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Here, we identify priority areas for continued functional forest connectivity across Borneo and Sumatra, using spatial models of clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi, a forest indicator species) movement, and impacts thereto from existing and future infrastructure development. We specifically measure and map the anticipated impacts on forest functional connectivity of three major infrastructure development projects (Pan Borneo Highway, Trans-Sumatran Toll Road, and the new Indonesian capital city of Nusantara). We found that core clouded leopard habitats are already highly fragmented in Sumatra, constituting only ∼13 % of the island, with potential dispersal corridors still linking some habitat fragments. In Borneo, clouded leopard core habitats cover 34 % of the island, with one large central core area and several much smaller satellite cores, which are largely unprotected (15 % protected, compared to 42 % in Sumatra). The largest negative effect on habitat connectivity was predicted for Nusantara (66 % of the total connectivity loss predicted for all three infrastructure projects), reverberating across the entirety of Borneo with the strongest effects in East Kalimantan. The Pan Borneo Highway accounted for 28 % of the total connectivity loss, affecting every province in Borneo and Brunei, with 6 % of this decrease located within protected areas. The Trans-Sumatran Toll Road had the smallest negative effect on connectivity (6 %) but only when excluding the already built segments, which, when included, produce a total negative impact similar to that of the Pan Borneo Highway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Żaneta Kaszta
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 617 S Beaver, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA.
| | - Samuel A Cushman
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew Hearn
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sean Sloan
- Department. of Geography, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5, Canada
| | - William F Laurance
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Iding A Haidir
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Wildlife Work Indonesia - Regional Asia, Jakarta 102010, Indonesia
| | - David W Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Jephte Sompud, Sze Lue Kee, Pei KJC, Liau P, Goh C, Giordano AJ. Sunda Clouded Leopard Neofelis diardi (Cuvier, 1823) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) occupancy in Borneo: results of a pilot vehicle spotlight transect survey. JOURNAL OF THREATENED TAXA 2023. [DOI: 10.11609/jott.7366.15.2.22559-22566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Sunda Clouded Leopard Neofelis diardi on Borneo is threatened principally by deforestation for oil palm plantations and the indiscriminate use of illegal trapping. Sunda Clouded Leopard populations are decreasing across their range, and the species has been categorised as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Despite the persistence of threats and numerous surveys in recent years, information on its ecology is still limited. Most studies to date have relied on the use of camera traps as their primary sampling tool, as it is challenging otherwise to gather data on Sunda Clouded Leopards. This study aimed to test the feasibility of estimating the Sunda Clouded Leopard occupancy using a different approach. We conducted vehicle spotlight transect surveys in a mixed-use forest reserve and logging concession in Sabah. We drove a cumulative total of 8,433 km of transects at night and documented the occurrence of Sunda Clouded Leopards in eight out of 31 predetermined long-distance transects, yielding a relatively low naïve occupancy rate (nO = 0.26). When accounting for imperfect detection (ρ = 0.15), null occupancy of Sunda Clouded Leopards appeared much higher (ᴪ = 0.55), though our parameter estimates lacked relative precision. Despite this, our results suggest there may be potential to further refine and adapt a basic, cost-effective monitoring approach in a local mixed-use reserve with the help of concession managers and additional improvements to study design. We caution, however, that not all study sites may be suited for this type of approach and strongly advise the development of pilot studies to evaluate their overall feasibility.
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Bursell MG, Dikow RB, Figueiró HV, Dudchenko O, Flanagan JP, Aiden EL, Goossens B, Nathan SK, Johnson WE, Koepfli KP, Frandsen PB. Whole genome analysis of clouded leopard species reveals an ancient divergence and distinct demographic histories. iScience 2022; 25:105647. [PMID: 36590460 PMCID: PMC9801239 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105647] [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: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Similar to other apex predator species, populations of mainland (Neofelis nebulosa) and Sunda (Neofelis diardi) clouded leopards are declining. Understanding their patterns of genetic variation can provide critical insights on past genetic erosion and a baseline for understanding their long-term conservation needs. As a step toward this goal, we present draft genome assemblies for the two clouded leopard species to quantify their phylogenetic divergence, genome-wide diversity, and historical population trends. We estimate that the two species diverged 5.1 Mya, much earlier than previous estimates of 1.41 Mya and 2.86 Mya, suggesting they separated when Sundaland was becoming increasingly isolated from mainland Southeast Asia. The Sunda clouded leopard displays a distinct and reduced effective population size trajectory, consistent with a lower genome-wide heterozygosity and SNP density, relative to the mainland clouded leopard. Our results provide new insights into the evolutionary history and genetic health of this unique lineage of felids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline G. Bursell
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA,Data Science Lab, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA
| | - Rebecca B. Dikow
- Data Science Lab, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA
| | - Henrique V. Figueiró
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA
| | - Olga Dudchenko
- The Center for Genome Architecture, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA,Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Erez Lieberman Aiden
- The Center for Genome Architecture, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA,Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA,UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia,Departments of Computer Science and Computational and Applied Mathematics, Rice University,Houston, TX, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Benoit Goossens
- Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia,Organisms and Environment Division, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff, UK,Danau Girang Field Centre, c/o Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | | | - Warren E. Johnson
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA,The Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, Museum Support Center MRC-534, Smithsonian Institution, Suitland, MD, USA,Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA,Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Klaus-Peter Koepfli
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA,Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, George Mason University, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA,Corresponding author
| | - Paul B. Frandsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA,Data Science Lab, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA,Corresponding author
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Amir Z, Sovie A, Luskin MS. Inferring predator–prey interactions from camera traps: A Bayesian co‐abundance modeling approach. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9627. [PMCID: PMC9745391 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Amir
- School of Biological Sciences University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - Adia Sovie
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
| | - Matthew Scott Luskin
- School of Biological Sciences University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
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Guerrero‐Sánchez S, Wilson A, González‐Abarzúa M, Kunde M, Goossens B, Sipangkui R, Frias L. Serological evidence of exposure of Bornean wild carnivores to feline-related viruses at the domestic animal-wildlife interface. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e3250-e3254. [PMID: 35373926 PMCID: PMC9790233 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
We conducted an exploratory serological survey to evaluate the exposure of Bornean wild carnivores to several viruses common to domestic felids, at interface areas between protected forest and industrial agriculture in the Kinabatangan floodplain (Sabah, Malaysia). Blood samples, collected from wild carnivores (n = 21) and domestic cats (n = 27), were tested for antibodies against feline coronavirus (FCoV), feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV), feline herpesvirus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV), using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kits. Anti-FCoV antibodies were detected in most species, including one flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps, [1/2]), leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis, [2/5]), Malay civets (Viverra tangalunga, [2/11]) and domestic cats (Felis catus, [2/27]). Anti-FCV antibodies were present in all domestic cats and one flat-headed cat, while anti-FPLV antibodies were identified in Sunda clouded leopards (Neofelis diardi, [2/2]), domestic cats [12/27] and Malay civets [2/11]. Anti-FHV antibodies were only detected in domestic cats [2/27]. Our findings indicate pathogen transmission risk between domestic and wild carnivore populations at the domestic animal-wildlife interface, emphasizing the concern for wildlife conservation for several endangered wild carnivores living in the area. Special consideration should be given to species that benefit from their association with humans and have the potential to carry pathogens between forest and plantations (e.g., Malay civets and leopard cats). Risk reduction strategies should be incorporated and supported as part of conservation actions in human-dominated landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Guerrero‐Sánchez
- Centre for Applied One Health Research and Policy Advice, Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life SciencesCity University of Hong KongKowloonHong Kong,Institute of Borneo StudiesUniversity College Sabah FoundationKota KinabaluMalaysia,Danau Girang Field CentreKota KinabaluMalaysia,Present address:
Sustainable Places Research InstituteCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Amanda Wilson
- Danau Girang Field CentreKota KinabaluMalaysia,Institute for Tropical Biology and ConservationUniversiti Malaysia SabahKota KinabaluMalaysia
| | | | | | - Benoit Goossens
- Danau Girang Field CentreKota KinabaluMalaysia,Organisms and Environment DivisionCardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK,Present address:
Sustainable Places Research InstituteCardiff UniversityCardiffUK,Present address:
Sabah Wildlife DepartmentKota KinabaluMalaysia
| | - Rosa Sipangkui
- Present address:
Sabah Wildlife DepartmentKota KinabaluMalaysia
| | - Liesbeth Frias
- Danau Girang Field CentreKota KinabaluMalaysia,Present address:
Sabah Wildlife DepartmentKota KinabaluMalaysia,Asian School of the EnvironmentNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
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7
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Mohd Hanafiah K, Abd Mutalib AH, Miard P, Goh CS, Mohd Sah SA, Ruppert N. Impact of Malaysian palm oil on sustainable development goals: co-benefits and trade-offs across mitigation strategies. SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE 2022; 17:1639-1661. [PMID: 34667481 PMCID: PMC8517301 DOI: 10.1007/s11625-021-01052-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Palm oil (PO) is an important source of livelihood, but unsustainable practices and widespread consumption may threaten human and planetary health. We reviewed 234 articles and summarized evidence on the impact of PO on health, social and economic aspects, environment, and biodiversity in the Malaysian context, and discuss mitigation strategies based on the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The evidence on health impact of PO is equivocal, with knowledge gaps on whether moderate consumption elevates risk for chronic diseases, but the benefits of phytonutrients (SDG2) and sensory characteristics of PO seem offset by its high proportion of saturated fat (SDG3). While PO contributes to economic growth (SDG9, 12), poverty alleviation (SDG1, 8, 10), enhanced food security (SDG2), alternative energy (SDG9), and long-term employment opportunities (SDG1), human rights issues and inequities attributed to PO production persist (SDG8). Environmental impacts arise through large-scale expansion of monoculture plantations associated with increased greenhouse gas emissions (SDG13), especially from converted carbon-rich peat lands, which can cause forest fires and annual trans-boundary haze; changes in microclimate properties and soil nutrient content (SDG6, 13); increased sedimentation and change of hydrological properties of streams near slopes (SDG6); and increased human wildlife conflicts, increase of invasive species occurrence, and reduced biodiversity (SDG14, 15). Practices such as biological pest control, circular waste management, multi-cropping and certification may mitigate negative impacts on environmental SDGs, without hampering progress of socioeconomic SDGs. While strategies focusing on improving practices within and surrounding plantations offer co-benefits for socioeconomic, environment and biodiversity-related SDGs, several challenges in achieving scalable solutions must be addressed to ensure holistic sustainability of PO in Malaysia for various stakeholders. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11625-021-01052-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khayriyyah Mohd Hanafiah
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
- Life Sciences, Macfarlane Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia
| | - Aini Hasanah Abd Mutalib
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
- Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu Malaysia
| | - Priscillia Miard
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
| | - Chun Sheng Goh
- Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia, Sunway University, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor Malaysia
| | | | - Nadine Ruppert
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
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8
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Guerrero-Sanchez S, Goossens B, Saimin S, Orozco-terWengel P. The critical role of natural forest as refugium for generalist species in oil palm-dominated landscapes. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257814. [PMID: 34614000 PMCID: PMC8494349 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In Borneo, oil palm plantations have replaced much of natural resources, where generalist species tend to be the principal beneficiaries, due to the abundant food provided by oil palm plantations. Here, we analyse the distribution of the Asian water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator) population within an oil palm-dominated landscape in the Kinabatangan floodplain, Malaysian Borneo. By using mark-recapture methods we estimated its population size, survival, and growth in forest and plantation habitats. We compared body measurements (i.e. body weight and body length) of individuals living in forest and oil palm habitats as proxy for the population's health status, and used general least squares estimation models to evaluate its response to highly fragmented landscapes in the absence of intensive hunting pressures. Contrary to previous studies, the abundance of lizards was higher in the forest than in oil palm plantations. Recruitment rates were also higher in the forest, suggesting that these areas may function as a source of new individuals into the landscape. While there were no morphometric differences among plantation sites, we found significant differences among forested areas, where larger lizards were found inhabiting forest adjacent to oil palm plantations. Although abundant in food resources, the limited availability of refugia in oil palm plantations may intensify intra-specific encounters and competition, altering the body size distribution in plantation populations, contrary to what happens in the forest. We conclude that large patches of forest, around and within oil palm plantations, are essential for the dynamics of the monitor lizard population in the Kinabatangan floodplain, as well as a potential source of individuals to the landscape. We recommend assessing this effect in other generalist species, as well as the impact on the prey communities, especially to reinforce the establishment of buffer zones and corridors as a conservation strategy within plantations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Guerrero-Sanchez
- Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Danau Girang Field Centre, c/o Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
- * E-mail: (SGS); (BG)
| | - Benoit Goossens
- Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Danau Girang Field Centre, c/o Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Sabah Wildlife Department, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
- * E-mail: (SGS); (BG)
| | | | - Pablo Orozco-terWengel
- Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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9
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Gomez L, Shepherd CR. The illegal exploitation of the Javan Leopard (Panthera pardus melas) and Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi) in Indonesia. NATURE CONSERVATION 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.43.59399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Indonesia is home to the Javan Leopard (Panthera pardus melas) and the Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi), both of which are threatened by habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict issues and the illegal wildlife trade. Leopards and clouded leopards are threatened by the illegal wildlife trade across their range, however, very little is known of the illegal trade in these two species in Indonesia, or of the efforts made to tackle this crime. Both the Javan Leopard and Sunda Clouded Leopard are protected species in Indonesia and both species are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), meaning commercial international trade is generally prohibited. To better understand the trade, and efforts to end this trade, we collected records of seizures and prosecutions relating to Javan Leopards and Sunda Clouded Leopards in Indonesia for the period 2011–2019. Despite both species being protected by law, this study reveals the prevalence of extensive poaching, illegal domestic trade and international trafficking of both species. A total of 41 seizure records were obtained from 2011 to 2019, which was estimated to amount to approximately 83 animals, which likely represents only a fraction of the total number of cases and therefore the risk may be substantially greater. Approximately half of the cases resulted in successful prosecution and of these, the highest sentence given was 2 years in jail and a fine of IDR50mil (~USD3300). The majority of the penalties handed down for these crimes were far below the maximum potential penalties and are unlikely to be effective deterrents.
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Farhadinia MS, Behnoud P, Hobeali K, Mousavi SJ, Hosseini-Zavarei F, Gholikhani N, Akbari H, Braczkowski A, Eslami M, Moghadas P, Macdonald DW. Estimating the density of a small population of leopards (Panthera pardus) in central Iran using multi-session photographic‐sampling data. Mamm Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-020-00096-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
AbstractWest Asian drylands host a number of threatened large carnivores, including the leopard (Panthera pardus) which is limited generally to areas with low primary productivity. While conservation efforts have focused on these areas for several decades, reliable population density estimates are missing for many of them. Spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) methodology is a widely accepted population density estimation tool to monitor populations of large carnivores and it incorporates animal movement in the statistical estimation process. We employed multi-session maximum-likelihood SECR modeling to estimate the density of a small population of leopard in a mountainous environment surrounded by deserts in central Iran. During 6724 camera trap nights, we detected 8 and 5 independent leopards in 2012 and 2016 sessions, respectively. The top-performing model produced density estimates of 1.6 (95% CI = 0.9–2.9) and 1.0 (95% CI = 0.6–1.6) independent leopards/100 km2 in 2012 and 2016, respectively. Both sex and season had substantial effects on spatial scale (σ), with larger movements recorded for males, and during winter. The estimates from our density estimation exercise represent some of the lowest densities across the leopard global range and strengthen the notion that arid habitats support low densities of the species. These small populations are vulnerable to demographic stochasticity, and monitoring temporal changes in their population density and composition is a critical tool in assisting conservation managers to better understand their population performance.
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Pallemaerts L, Adul, Kulu IP, Jeffers KA, Macdonald DW, Cheyne SM. Male residency of Sunda Clouded Leopard Neofelis diardi (Cuvier, 1823) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in a peat swamp forest, Indonesian Borneo. JOURNAL OF THREATENED TAXA 2020. [DOI: 10.11609/jott.6487.12.16.17222-17228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The Sunda Clouded Leopard Neofelis diardi is the apex predator on the island of Borneo, yet little is known of its ecology. We document the length of residency of male Sunda Clouded Leopards in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. Over 10 years, camera trap data have been obtained in the Sebangau peat swamp forest in a study area of ~ 105km2. We identified 11 individuals (eight males, one female, and two with unknown sex), from 152 notionally independent photographs. On average, males remained in the study area for 39.3 months (SE 8.3), or 3.3 years (SE 0.7), ranging from less than a month of residency up to 71 months. Females were infrequently recorded, possibly as a result of human disturbance and/or high male densities. Our results reveal that even a 10-year dataset is inadequate to answer some basic ecological questions, emphasising the importance of long-term monitoring of this species.
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Abstract
AbstractTemporal partitioning can allow sympatric carnivores to coexist, especially if overlap of other resources is high. Using camera trap data from 2013 to 2017, we investigated the temporal partitioning of a community of wild felids and a canid in Nam Et–Phou Louey National Protected Area, Laos, to determine the extent to which temporal avoidance might be facilitating coexistence of similarly sized carnivores. We also investigated temporal overlap of these carnivore species and their presumed main prey, to determine if their activity is likely most influenced by their prey or potential competitors. The dhole (Cuon alpinus) and clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), the two largest carnivores, had low temporal overlap, and activity appeared to be synchronized with the main prey for dhole, but not clouded leopard. Thus, it was possible that clouded leopard used temporal partitioning to coexist with dhole. The temporal overlap of Asian golden cat (Catopuma temminckii) was high with clouded leopard and moderate with dhole, and overall appeared to be influenced most by its presumed prey species, rather than by its potential competitors. The two small felids had the least temporal overlap between any species, as the marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata) was primarily diurnal whereas the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) was primarily nocturnal. Given that the two small felids reportedly have similar diets consisting of small rodents and birds, their temporal partitioning is likely to help facilitate their coexistence. For carnivore species in northern Laos that are most similar in body size and diet, temporal partitioning is likely to be an important mechanism of coexistence. Otherwise, temporal patterns appear to be synchronized with their main prey.
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First Evaluations and Cryopreservation of Semen Samples from Sunda Clouded Leopards ( Neofelis diardi). Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10061072. [PMID: 32580372 PMCID: PMC7341292 DOI: 10.3390/ani10061072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Sunda clouded leopard is a medium-sized cat from Borneo and Sumatra. The captive population has less than 20 individuals on both islands. Conservation breeding of this species has been unsuccessful due to the small numbers of individuals and the difficulty of pairing them. The present study aimed at evaluating for the first time the reproductive organs, semen characteristics, and sperm freezing for two wild-caught males (8 and 11 year old) living singly. The morphometric and ultrasound examination showed some degree of abnormalities in both leopards. Semen evaluation obtained by electro-ejaculation revealed a high proportion of abnormal sperm cells (similar to mainland clouded leopards). While only the younger male produced samples that could be frozen, post-thaw evaluations showed that the few surviving spermatozoa could potentially be used for in vitro fertilization or sperm injection. Studies on more individuals are needed to validate those encouraging but preliminary results. Abstract A better understanding of semen characteristics and resilience to freezing temperatures is necessary before developing assisted reproductive techniques and systematic biobanking for the Sunda clouded leopard. The objective of this study was to evaluate for the first time the semen and sperm quality (in fresh and frozen samples) of two captive Sunda clouded leopards in Malaysia. A total of 17 examinations of the reproductive tract (using ultrasonography) and electro-ejaculations were performed on the two leopards over a 2-year period. Samples obtained from Leopard 1 (8 years old) varied in terms of volume (402 ± 92 µL), pH (7.9 ± 0.9), sperm motility (54.5 ± 24.2%), sperm concentration (122.4 ± 84.7 × 106 sperm/mL), normal morphology (23.9 ± 12.3%), and viability (55.2 ± 18.2%). Midpiece defects represented the most common structural abnormality followed by abnormal tail and head defects. Samples from Leopard 2 (11 year old with abnormal testicular tissue) were of lesser quality. Two frozen semen samples from Leopard 1 were thawed and examined for acrosome integrity. Post-thawed samples contained <10% of motile spermatozoa but almost 50% of abnormal acrosomes. The present results emphasized the high incidence of structurally-abnormal spermatozoa, similar to the mainland clouded leopard. Post-thaw evaluations showed that the few surviving spermatozoa could potentially be used for in vitro fertilization or sperm injection. However, more individuals must be studied to validate those first findings that are exciting but still preliminary.
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Sunda clouded leopard Neofelis diardi densities and human activities in the humid evergreen rainforests of Sumatra. ORYX 2020. [DOI: 10.1017/s0030605319001005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractMost species of wild felids are threatened, but for many little is known about their status in the wild. For the cryptic and elusive Vulnerable Sunda clouded leopard Neofelis diardi, key metrics such as abundance and occupancy have been challenging to obtain. We conducted an intensive survey for this species on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. We deployed camera traps across four study areas that varied in elevation and threats, for a total of 28,404 trap nights, resulting in 114 independent clouded leopard photographs, in which we identified 18 individuals. Using a Bayesian spatially explicit capture–recapture analysis, we estimated clouded leopard density to be 0.8–2.4 individuals/100 km2. The highest predicted occurrence of people was at lower altitudes and closer to the forest edge, where we categorized more than two-thirds of people recorded by camera traps as bird poachers, 12.5% each as ungulate/tiger poachers and non-timber collectors, and < 2% as fishers. Our findings provide important insights into the status of this little known species in Sumatra. We recommend that the large volume of camera-trap data from other Sumatran landscapes be used for an island-wide assessment of the clouded leopard population, to provide up-to-date and reliable information for guiding future conservation planning.
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Farhadinia MS, Heit DR, Montgomery RA, Johnson PJ, Hobeali K, Hunter LTB, Macdonald DW. Vertical relief facilitates spatial segregation of a high density large carnivore population. OIKOS 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.06724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad S. Farhadinia
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Dept of Zoology, Univ. of Oxford Oxford UK
- Oxford Martin School, Univ. of Oxford 34 Broad St. OX1 3BD Oxford UK
| | - David R. Heit
- Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and their Prey Laboratory, Michigan State Univ. East Lansing MI USA
| | - Robert A. Montgomery
- Research on the Ecology of Carnivores and their Prey Laboratory, Michigan State Univ. East Lansing MI USA
| | - Paul J. Johnson
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Dept of Zoology, Univ. of Oxford Oxford UK
| | | | - Luke T. B. Hunter
- Big Cats Program, Centre for Global Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx USA
- School of Life Sciences, Westville Campus, Univ. of KwaZulu‐Natal Durban South Africa
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Dept of Zoology, Univ. of Oxford Oxford UK
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Macdonald DW, Bothwell HM, Kaszta Ż, Ash E, Bolongon G, Burnham D, Can ÖE, Campos‐Arceiz A, Channa P, Clements GR, Hearn AJ, Hedges L, Htun S, Kamler JF, Kawanishi K, Macdonald EA, Mohamad SW, Moore J, Naing H, Onuma M, Penjor U, Rasphone A, Mark Rayan D, Ross J, Singh P, Tan CKW, Wadey J, Yadav BP, Cushman SA. Multi‐scale habitat modelling identifies spatial conservation priorities for mainland clouded leopards (
Neofelis nebulosa
). DIVERS DISTRIB 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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Wang B, Rocha DG, Abrahams MI, Antunes AP, Costa HCM, Gonçalves ALS, Spironello WR, de Paula MJ, Peres CA, Pezzuti J, Ramalho E, Reis ML, Carvalho Jr E, Rohe F, Macdonald DW, Tan CKW. Habitat use of the ocelot ( Leopardus pardalis) in Brazilian Amazon. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:5049-5062. [PMID: 31110661 PMCID: PMC6509378 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amazonia forest plays a major role in providing ecosystem services for human and sanctuaries for wildlife. However, ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation in the Brazilian Amazon has threatened both. The ocelot is an ecologically important mesopredator and a potential conservation ambassador species, yet there are no previous studies on its habitat preference and spatial patterns in this biome. From 2010 to 2017, twelve sites were surveyed, totaling 899 camera trap stations, the largest known dataset for this species. Using occupancy modeling incorporating spatial autocorrelation, we assessed habitat use for ocelot populations across the Brazilian Amazon. Our results revealed a positive sigmoidal correlation between remote-sensing derived metrics of forest cover, disjunct core area density, elevation, distance to roads, distance to settlements and habitat use, and that habitat use by ocelots was negatively associated with slope and distance to river/lake. These findings shed light on the regional scale habitat use of ocelots and indicate important species-habitat relationships, thus providing valuable information for conservation management and land-use planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingxin Wang
- Wildlife Conservation Research UnitDepartment of ZoologyThe Recanati‐Kaplan CentreUniversity of OxfordTubney, OxonUK
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental ChangeInstitute of BotanyThe Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Daniel G. Rocha
- Graduate Group in EcologyDepartment of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation BiologyUniversity of California DavisDavisCalifornia
- Grupo de Ecologia e Conservação de Felinos na AmazôniaInstituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável MamirauáTeféBrazil
| | - Mark I. Abrahams
- Field Conservation and Science DepartmentBristol Zoological SocietyBristolUK
| | - André P. Antunes
- Redefauna - Rede de Pesquisa em BiodiversidadeConservação e Uso da Fauna da AmazôniaManausBrazil
| | - Hugo C. M. Costa
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da BiodiversidadeUniversidade Estadual de Santa CruzIlhéusBrazil
| | | | | | - Milton José de Paula
- Centre for Advanced Amazon StudiesUniversity of ParaAltamiraBrazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em EcologiaUniversidade Federal do Pará e EMBRAPA Amazônia OrientalBelémBrazil
| | - Carlos A. Peres
- School of Environmental ScienceCetre for Ecology, Evolution and ConservationUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
| | - Juarez Pezzuti
- Centre for Advanced Amazon StudiesUniversity of ParaAltamiraBrazil
| | | | | | - Elildo Carvalho Jr
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos CarnívorosInstituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da BiodiversidadeAtibaiaBrazil
- Faculty of Ecology and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
| | - Fabio Rohe
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva – GCBEvInstituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPAManausBrazil
- Wildlife Conservation Society Brazil – Amazon ProgramManausBrazil
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research UnitDepartment of ZoologyThe Recanati‐Kaplan CentreUniversity of OxfordTubney, OxonUK
| | - Cedric Kai Wei Tan
- Wildlife Conservation Research UnitDepartment of ZoologyThe Recanati‐Kaplan CentreUniversity of OxfordTubney, OxonUK
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Hearn AJ, Cushman SA, Ross J, Goossens B, Hunter LTB, Macdonald DW. Spatio-temporal ecology of sympatric felids on Borneo. Evidence for resource partitioning? PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200828. [PMID: 30028844 PMCID: PMC6054408 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Niche differentiation, the partitioning of resources along one or more axes of a species' niche hyper-volume, is widely recognised as an important mechanism for sympatric species to reduce interspecific competition and predation risk, and thus facilitate co-existence. Resource partitioning may be facilitated by behavioural differentiation along three main niche dimensions: habitat, food and time. In this study, we investigate the extent to which these mechanisms can explain the coexistence of an assemblage of five sympatric felids in Borneo. Using multi-scale logistic regression, we show that Bornean felids exhibit differences in both their broad and fine-scale habitat use. We calculate temporal activity patterns and overlap between these species, and present evidence for temporal separation within this felid guild. Lastly, we conducted an all-subsets logistic regression to predict the occurrence of each felid species as a function of the co-occurrence of a large number of other species and showed that Bornean felids co-occurred with a range of other species, some of which could be candidate prey. Our study reveals apparent resource partitioning within the Bornean felid assemblage, operating along all three niche dimension axes. These results provide new insights into the ecology of these species and the broader community in which they live and also provide important information for conservation planning for this guild of predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Hearn
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Samuel A. Cushman
- US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Joanna Ross
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Benoit Goossens
- Danau Girang Field Centre, c/o Sabah Wildlife Department, Wisma Muis, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
- Sabah Wildlife Department, Wisma Muis, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
- Organisms and Environment Division, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | | | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Population density estimates and conservation concern for clouded leopards Neofelis nebulosa, marbled cats Pardofelis marmorata and tigers Panthera tigris in Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary, Sagaing, Myanmar. ORYX 2017. [DOI: 10.1017/s0030605317001260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa is a potent ambassador species for conservation, occurring from the Himalayan foothills eastwards to Indochina, between which Myanmar is a biogeographical land bridge. In Myanmar's Northern Forest Complex, the species co-occurs with the tiger Panthera tigris, leopard Panthera pardus, marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata, golden cat Catopuma temminckii and leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis. We deployed cameras within the Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary over 2 consecutive years. In 2014–2015 we deployed 82 camera stations around the Nam Pa Gon stream (Catchment 1) for 7,365 trap days. In 2015–2016 we deployed 80 camera stations around the Nam E Zu stream (Catchment 2) for 7,192 trap days. In Catchment 1 we identified five tigers from 26 detections, five clouded leopards from 41 detections (68 photographs) and 11 marbled cats from 13 detections. Using Bayesian-based spatial capture–recapture we estimated the densities of tigers and clouded leopards to be 0.81 ± SD 0.40 and 0.60 ± SD 0.24 individuals per 100 km2, respectively. In Catchment 2 we identified two tigers from three detections, nine clouded leopards from 55 detections and 12 marbled cats from 37 detections. Densities of clouded leopards and marbled cats were 3.05 ± SD 1.03 and 8.80 ± SD 2.06 individuals per 100 km2, respectively. These differences suggest that human activities, in particular gold mining, are affecting felid populations, and these are a paramount concern in Htamanthi. We demonstrate the importance of Htamanthi within the Northern Forest Complex and highlight the Yawbawmee corridor as a candidate for protection.
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