From Part to Whole: Scale-Dependence Habitat Selection by Snow Leopards (Panthera Uncia)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are regarded as the most charismatic apex predator in alpine Asia, yet their populations under serious threat from human activities and habitat fragmentation. Ensuring effectiveness of current protected areas is critical for conservation, which necessitates a comprehensive understanding selection patterns at different spatial scales. Here, we conducted five-year camera trap survey snow Qilian Mountains used multi-scale modelling to investigate connectivity. Our results revealed scale-dependence leopard selection. We found that smaller scales, prey resource topographic variables were main factors determining leopards. Particularly, distribution probability primarily determined overall small scale. At larger however, there was stronger correlation between climate well impacts. The scale-optimized multivariate models indicated significant gaps protecting core habitats ensuring landscape More than 50% projected patches not included areas. Areas with highest number (Subei County) corridors (Tianjun also had least half area outside study provides insights conservation planning suggests prioritizing previously overlooked essential corridors.

Язык: Английский

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Narrow Dietary Niche With High Overlap Between Snow Leopards and Himalayan Wolves Indicates Potential for Resource Competition in Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Understanding species' dietary ecology and interspecific interactions is crucial for multi‐species conservation planning. In Central Asia the Himalayas, wolves have recolonized snow leopard habitats, raising considerable concern about resource competition between these apex predators. Using micro‐histological analysis of prey species remains (e.g., hair) in their fecal samples, we determined composition, niche breadth, extent diet overlap two predators Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal. We analyzed 152 scat samples collected along 89 survey transects from April to June 2021. Our findings reveal a significant diets (Pianka's index = 0.93), with wolf scats containing 11 10 species, respectively. However, difference selection was apparent, deviations observed expected use indicating non‐random relative availability: Snow leopards exhibited higher occurrence wild items (55.28%), primarily blue sheep ( Pseudois nayaur ) (24.83%), whereas relied predominantly on domestic livestock (67.89%), goats Capra hircus accounting over one‐fourth (29.15%). Yaks Bos grunniens comprised portion biomass consumed by both predators, (43.68%) than (36.47%). Overall, narrow breadth high indicates potential wolves. comprehensive understanding will require further study other axes partitioning, including habitat time. Nevertheless, region's low richness means that, increasing human influence, any reduction or increase could intensify wolves, which implications depredation.

Язык: Английский

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Metabarcoding reveals striking dietary variation in a reintroduced mesocarnivore

Journal of Mammalogy, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 11, 2025

Abstract Carnivore populations are often limited by prey availability, so knowledge of their foraging ecology is required for successful recovery efforts. Limited availability energy-efficient, or optimal, can be a key determinant the conservation status mesocarnivores—thus investigating diet habits during reintroduction efforts provide insights into trajectory reestablishing population. The fishers (Pekania pennanti) in Washington state, United States, offers an opportunity to assess variation across areas using high-resolution DNA metabarcoding methods. We assessed Fisher 2 sites Cascade Mountains (the South Cascades and North Cascades) where performed differently multiple metrics used measure initial success. had rare test correlations between relative read abundance biomass consumption while were fed known captivity. found moderately positive, though highly variable, correlation (r = 0.47) approximate food items within individual samples; however, we detected strong, statistically insignificant, when looking at importance groups aggregated profiles 0.72). collected 300 scats gastrointestinal tracts telemetry scat detection dog teams characterize profiles. positive frequency occurrence summaries. Hares rabbits (Lepus americanus Sylvilagus floridanus) most prevalent both (North 17%, 68%), but there significant compositional differences diets reintroduced populations. diversity (n 19 taxa), whereas 71 taxa represented diet. composition was akin central eastern range expansions facilitated access optimally sized (>250 g) prey. In contrast, diverse more similar southernmost extent (Oregon California), scarce population stunted. surprisingly high levels dietary among adjacent highlight utility studies evaluating whether translocated obtaining adequate resources support establishment thus informing subsequent management interventions.

Язык: Английский

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Climate Change and Human Pressure: Assessing the Vulnerability of Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) Habitat Integrated With Prey Distribution on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Climate change is significantly altering the distribution of large carnivores and their primary prey species, with particular emphasis on changing in high‐altitude regions. The Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, known for its rich biodiversity, highly sensitive to climate change, affecting habitats snow leopards ( Panthera uncia ) blue sheep Pseudois nayaur ). Our study identified as through metagenomic analysis used bioclimatic data Land Use/Cover Change (LUCC) information model habitat suitability under three scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, 8.5). Projections showed that 4.5 8.5, leopard will decrease by 13.0% 23.4%, while 38.3% 49.7%, respectively. These are expected shift higher altitudes, experiencing a more significant shift. Based these findings, we recommend adjusting protected area boundaries S1 (Ideal range), establishing ecological corridors S2 (stepping stone), implementing targeted measures mitigate human‐wildlife conflicts S3 (potential conflict area). To protect international efforts reduce carbon emissions, cross‐administrative cooperation, community‐based conservation strategies essential.

Язык: Английский

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Dynamics of Suitable Habitats for Typical Predators and Prey on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau Driven by Climate Change: A Case Study of Tibetan Fox, Red Fox, and Plateau Pika

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

ABSTRACT The Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP) is a biodiversity hotspot highly sensitive to global climate change. Tibetan fox ( Vulpes ferrilata ), red V. vulpes and plateau pika Ochotona curzoniae ) are key species of the plateau, serving as typical representatives predators prey among its diverse wildlife. To evaluate impact change, we employed maximum entropy model with 1237 distribution points various environmental variables predict habitat suitability under three models four representative concentration pathways for 2050s 2070s. results revealed that suitable habitats two were projected decline, reductions ranging from 0.23% 5.64% 4.12% 6.63%, respectively, most occurring in central‐western southern regions QTP. decline was anticipated be more pronounced 2070s compared 2050s. Conversely, species, pikas, expected experience only slight decrease (0.45%–0.98%) scenarios moderate greenhouse gas emissions. Habitat centroid analyses indicated consistent northward migration areas both response change on Furthermore, future overlap analysis between predator showed uncertain trends; however, notably lower habitats. Regarding current conservation efforts prey, evaluation highlighted critical significant role Sanjiangyuan National Park, China's first national park located Qinghai Province, Qiangtang Nature Reserve Xizang protection these QTP China. findings methodologies this research hold reference value other hotspots.

Язык: Английский

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Patterns of predation by the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx throughout its range: ecological and conservation implications

Mammal Review, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 53(3), С. 177 - 188

Опубликована: Май 15, 2023

ABSTRACT Predation on ungulates exposes large predators to conflicts with farmers and hunters if they kill livestock shared game species. Therefore, it is crucial know the drivers of predation prey, understand how differ from smaller prey reveal general large‐scale patterns. We tested three hypotheses in global Eurasian lynx Lynx population: 1) consumption hares increases their densities, 2) effects predictors ungulate hare between continents, latitudes, longitudes landscapes, 3) are generally applicable regardless study materials (scats, carcasses intestinal tracts). collected information 70 publications, including data 174 cases (107 Europe 67 Asia) 114 sites 30 countries, mainly Russia (73 46 sites). Linear regression logit‐transformed logistic were used test hypotheses. found that made up more than half diet areas containing at least 570 individual ungulates/100 km 2 and/or located south 56°N. Predominance could be related higher availability main medium‐sized species, presence (mixed) broadleaf deciduous forests open spaces providing optimal hunting conditions. No significant by revealed, possibly because a small sample size density habitats, fluctuations instability as food resource, declines some populations separation habitat use hares. conclude an adaptable predator, not lagomorph specialist; throughout its range, takes according availability. The practical nonlethal interventions important limit domestic (livestock game) for lynx, promote human‐lynx coexistence.

Язык: Английский

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Different coexistence patterns between apex carnivores and mesocarnivores based on temporal, spatial, and dietary niche partitioning analysis in Qilian Mountain National Park, China

eLife, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 13

Опубликована: Янв. 24, 2024

Carnivores play key roles in maintaining ecosystem structure and function as well ecological processes. Understanding how sympatric species coexist natural ecosystems is a central research topic community ecology biodiversity conservation. In this study, we explored intra- interspecific niche partitioning along spatial, temporal, dietary between apex carnivores (wolf Canis lupus , snow leopard Panthera uncia Eurasian lynx Lynx ) mesocarnivores (Pallas’s cat Otocolobus manul red fox Vulpes vulpes Tibetan ferrilata Qilian Mountain National Park, China, using camera trapping data DNA metabarcoding sequencing data. Our study showed that carnivore had more overlap temporally (coefficients of ranging from 0.661 to 0.900) or trophically (Pianka’s index 0.458 0.892), mesocarnivore high with each other 0.945 0.997), temporal 0.497 0.855). Large was observed wolf = 0.892) Pallas’s suggesting the potential for increased resource competition these pairs. We concluded spatial likely driver facilitating coexistence species, while facilitate species. findings consider across dimensions examining diverse patterns China. These will contribute substantially current understanding guilds effective conservation management fragile alpine ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

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Genetic Variation in the Pallas’s Cat (Otocolobus manul) in Zoo-Managed and Wild Populations

Diversity, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 16(4), С. 228 - 228

Опубликована: Апрель 10, 2024

The Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul) is one of the most understudied taxa in Felidae family. species currently assessed as being “Least Concern” IUCN Red List, but this assessment based on incomplete data. Additional ecological and genetic information necessary for long-term situ ex conservation species. We identified 29 microsatellite loci with sufficient diversity to enable studies into individual identification, population structure, phylogeography cats. These microsatellites were genotyped six wild cats from Tibet Autonomous Region Mongolia ten a United States zoo-managed that originated Russia Mongolia. Additionally, we examined 91 bp segment mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA (MT-RNR1) locus hypoxia-related gene, endothelial PAS domain protein 1 (EPAS1). Based MT-RNR1 loci, established displays moderate diversity. Intriguingly, found had unique nonsynonymous substitution EPAS1 not present snow leopards (Panthera uncia) or domestic (Felis catus). analysis indicated reduced compared individuals. study valuable resource future research cat.

Язык: Английский

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Different coexistence patterns between apex carnivores and mesocarnivores based on temporal, spatial, and dietary niche partitioning analysis in Qilian Mountain National Park, China

eLife, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 13

Опубликована: Сен. 11, 2024

Carnivores play key roles in maintaining ecosystem structure and function as well ecological processes. Understanding how sympatric species coexist natural ecosystems is a central research topic community ecology biodiversity conservation. In this study, we explored intra- interspecific niche partitioning along spatial, temporal, dietary between apex carnivores (wolf Canis lupus , snow leopard Panthera uncia Eurasian lynx Lynx ) mesocarnivores (Pallas’s cat Otocolobus manul red fox Vulpes vulpes Tibetan ferrilata Qilian Mountain National Park, China, using camera trapping data DNA metabarcoding sequencing data. Our study showed that carnivore had more overlap temporally (coefficients of ranging from 0.661 to 0.900) or trophically (Pianka’s index 0.458 0.892), mesocarnivore high with each other 0.945 0.997), temporal 0.497 0.855). Large was observed wolf = 0.892) Pallas’s suggesting the potential for increased resource competition these pairs. We concluded spatial likely driver facilitating coexistence species, while facilitate species. findings consider across dimensions examining diverse patterns China. These will contribute substantially current understanding guilds effective conservation management fragile alpine ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

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Different coexistence patterns between apex carnivores and mesocarnivores based on temporal, spatial, and dietary niche partitioning analysis in Qilian Mountain National Park, China

Опубликована: Янв. 24, 2024

Carnivores play key roles in maintaining ecosystem structure and function as well ecological processes, understanding how sympatric species coexistence mechanism natural ecosystems is a central research topic community ecology biodiversity conservation. In this study, we explored intra- interspecific niche partitioning along spatial, temporal, dietary between apex carnivores (wolf Canis lupus , snow leopard Panthera uncia Eurasian lynx Lynx ) mesocarnivores (Pallas’s cat Otocolobus manul red fox Vulpes vulpes Tibetan ferrilata the Qilian Mountain national park of China using camera trapping data DNA metabarcoding sequencing data. Our study showed that carnivore had more overlap temporally (the value time from 0.661 to 0.900) or trophically diet 0.458 0.892), mesocarnivore high with each other 0.945 0.997), temporal 0.497 0.855). Large was observed wolf (Pianka’s index=0.892) Pallas’s index=0.997) suggesting increased resource competition for these pair were existed. We conclude spatial playing role facilitating species, facilitate species. findings address, first time, considered across dimensions diverse patterns presented China. These finding will contribute substantially current guilds effective conservation management fragile alpine ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

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