J 2012

Niche Relationships of Carnivores in a Subtropical Primary Forest in Southern Taiwan

CHIANG, Po-Jen; Kurtis Jai-Chyi PEI; Michael VAUGHAN and Ching-Feng LI

Basic information

Original name

Niche Relationships of Carnivores in a Subtropical Primary Forest in Southern Taiwan

Authors

CHIANG, Po-Jen (158 Taiwan); Kurtis Jai-Chyi PEI (158 Taiwan); Michael VAUGHAN (840 United States of America) and Ching-Feng LI (158 Taiwan, guarantor, belonging to the institution)

Edition

Zoological Studies, Taiwan, Academia Sinica, 2012, 1021-5506

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Article in a journal

Field of Study

Zoology

Country of publisher

China

Confidentiality degree

is not subject to a state or trade secret

References:

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14310/12:00062013

Organization

Přírodovědecká fakulta – Repository – Repository

UT WoS

000306879200008

Keywords in English

Activity pattern; Complementary resource use; Niche segregation; Sympatric carnivores
Changed: 1/9/2020 13:27, RNDr. Daniel Jakubík

Abstract

V originále

Carnivores are at the higher trophic levels and have garnered much attention in conservation and management efforts. In this study, we attempted to understand resource partitioning among sympatric carnivores existing in a primary forest with minimal human disturbance in southern Taiwan by camera trapping after the disappearance of the top carnivore, the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). Niche relationships were studied in terms of habitat, diet, and time dimensions. Six carnivore species were recorded, but the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) was very rare. Canonical correspondence analysis of photographic rates and habitat factors of the other 5 carnivores showed that elevation was the strongest factor explaining the composition of the carnivore community in the habitat dimension. Carnivores could be divided into 3 groups. The low- to mid-elevation group consisted of the gem-faced palm civet (Paguma larvata taivana) and crab-eating mongoose (Herpestes urva formosanus) which had contrasting activity patterns and different diets; the mid- to high-elevation group consisted of yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula chrysospila) and Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica taivana). These 2 mustelids had similar diets, but Siberian weasels tended to avoid yellow-throated martens temporally. The Formosan ferret badger (Melogale moschata subaurantiaca) was more widely distributed along the elevational gradient. Ferret badgers partitioned resource use in either diet, activity patterns, or other habitat gradients from the other carnivores. Niche segregation and complementary resource use were observed in these 5 carnivores.

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