Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Felid species hold critical ecological roles within tropical forest ecosystems and are particularly susceptible to human-induced disturbances. However, there is limited research on how sympatric felid species are distributed and coexist in human-dominated habitats. Using a long-term camera trap survey conducted in the disturbed tropical habitats of Xishuangbanna, southwestern China, we assessed the occupancy and spatio-temporal segregation among four sympatric felid species (Leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis, Marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata, Asiatic golden cat Catopuma temminckii, and Clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa), and explored how these patterns correlate with similarities in species traits. We found that the occupancy probabilities of leopard cats and clouded leopards were primarily influenced by anthropogenic disturbances rather than natural factors, with both species negatively affected by croplands. Similar species responses to croplands and livestock may facilitate the co-occurrence of leopard cats with clouded leopards in areas farther from croplands and with golden cats in regions with higher livestock abundance. The lack of significant spatial segregation among species is likely due to the observed segregation in daily activity patterns, which positively correlated with species trait similarities. Our study enhances our understanding of felid community assembly in the face of expanding human activity, offering valuable insights for future conservation in the Xishuangbanna region.
Source: Chinese Journal of Radio Science
Authors: Liu Ying, 中国科学院东南亚生物多样性研究中心 & 中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园综合保护中心, 勐腊, 云南 666303, 中国, He Ru-Chuan, Wang Lin, Mammides Christos, Quan Rui-Chang, 中国科学院大学, 北京100049, 中国, 云南省东南亚生物多样性保护国际联合实验室 & 云南省热带雨林与亚洲象保护重点实验室, 勐仑, 勐腊, 云南 666303, 中国, 中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园云南省热带珍贵用材树种保护与利用国际联合实验室, 勐腊, 云南 666303, 中国
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: hybrid
Awards: G1906643671, G289183629, G7118947051
OpenAlex ID: W4409536152