Small carnivores of Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, Karnataka, India

oleh: Honnavalli N. Kumara, Ovee Thorat, Kumar Santhosh, R. Sasi, H.P. Ashwin

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society 2014-11-01

Deskripsi

<span class="char-style-override-5">During the present study in Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT), nine species of small carnivores viz., Jungle Cat </span><span class="char-style-override-6">Felis chaus</span><span class="char-style-override-5">, Rusty-spotted Cat </span><span class="char-style-override-6">Prionalilurus rubiginosus</span><span class="char-style-override-5">, Leopard Cat </span><span class="char-style-override-6">Prionailurus bengalensis</span><span class="char-style-override-5">, Small Indian Civet </span><span class="char-style-override-6">Viverricula indica</span><span class="char-style-override-5">, Asian Palm Civet </span><span class="char-style-override-6">Paradoxurus hermaphroditus</span><span class="char-style-override-5">, Striped-necked Mongoose </span><span class="char-style-override-6">Herpestes vitticollis</span><span class="char-style-override-5">, Ruddy Mongoose </span><span class="char-style-override-6">Herpestes smithii</span><span class="char-style-override-5">, Common Mongoose </span><span class="char-style-override-6">Herpestes edwardsii</span><span class="char-style-override-5"> and Smooth-coated Otter </span><span class="char-style-override-6">Lutrogale perspicillata</span><span class="char-style-override-5">, were recorded using camera-trapping technique, transect walks, and night surveys. Vegetation type strongly influences the presence and abundance of each species. The most sightings of small carnivores occurred in dry deciduous forests. Among all the species, the Asian Palm Civet was the most abundant and was followed by the small Indian Civet. Compared to many other forests or regions in India, the sight records of the Rusty-spotted Cat were relatively higher in BRT. Although we were unable to use statistical methods to search for higher levels of interdependencies between forest types and small carnivore abundance, our study sheds light on patterns of small carnivore distribution in this unique habitat which bridges the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.</span>