Estimating mammalian species richness and occupancy in tropical forest canopies with arboreal camera traps

The present study aims to explore the mammalian diversity of Darjeeling district using camera traps along with questionnaire survey in protected area (PA) and non- protected area (Non-PA). We also attempted to understand the influence of habitat variables on mammalian species richness using the generalized linear mixed models (GLMM). A total of 30 mammal species were recorded of which 21 species were detected through camera trapping with the most abundant records of barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and least of the elusive Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) and red panda (Ailurus fulgens). Additionally, melanistic forms of four mammals were also recorded. The mammalian species richness, their capture rate and naïve occupancy did not differ significantly among the PA and Non-PA. The GLMM revealed that the proportions of oak and bamboo in the forest, percentage canopy cover and camera trap operational days (wAICc = 0.145, wBIC = 0.603) were significant predictors of species richness in the study. We suggest Non-PA forest of Darjeeling should be given equal conservation importance as to the PA. Landscape based conservation planning will be imperative for achieving long term conservation goals in the study area.

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Low mammalian species richness is associated with Kyasanur forest disease outbreak risk in deforested landscapes in the Western Ghats, India

One Health ◽

10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100299 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 100299

Author(s):

Michael G. Walsh ◽

Rashmi Bhat ◽

Venkatesh Nagarajan-Radha ◽

Prakash Narayanan ◽

Navya Vyas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Western Ghats ◽

Mammalian Species ◽

Disease Outbreak ◽

Forest Disease ◽

Kyasanur Forest Disease ◽

The Western Ghats

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Matrix habitat and species richness in tropical forest remnants

Biological Conservation ◽

10.1016/s0006-3207(99)00080-4 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 91 (2-3) ◽

pp. 223-229 ◽

Cited By ~ 476

Author(s):

Claude Gascon ◽

Thomas E Lovejoy ◽

Richard O Bierregaard Jr. ◽

Jay R Malcolm ◽

Phillip C Stouffer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Tropical Forest ◽

Matrix Habitat ◽

Forest Remnants

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Leopards and mesopredators as indicators of mammalian species richness across diverse landscapes of South Africa

Ecological Indicators ◽

10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107201 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 121 ◽

pp. 107201

Author(s):

Thulani Tshabalala ◽

Jeannine McManus ◽

Adrian Treves ◽

Vusani Masocha ◽

Steve Faulconbridge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Species Richness ◽

Mammalian Species

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Effect of rodents on seed fate of five hornbill-dispersed tree species in a tropical forest in north-east India

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467409990083 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 25 (5) ◽

pp. 507-514 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Nandini Velho ◽

Aparajita Datta ◽

Kavita Isvaran

Keyword(s):

Tropical Forest ◽

Tree Species ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Seed Fate ◽

Seed Survival ◽

North East India ◽

North East ◽

Wide Range ◽

Dysoxylum Binectariferum ◽

Seed Fates

Abstract:Hornbills are important dispersers of a wide range of tree species. Many of these species bear fruits with large, lipid-rich seeds that could attract terrestrial rodents. Rodents have multiple effects on seed fates, many of which remain poorly understood in the Palaeotropics. The role of terrestrial rodents was investigated by tracking seed fate of five hornbill-dispersed tree species in a tropical forest in north-east India. Seeds were marked inside and outside of exclosures below 6–12 parent fruiting trees (undispersed seed rain) and six hornbill nest trees (a post-dispersal site). Rodent visitors and seed removal were monitored using camera traps. Our findings suggest that several rodent species, especially two species of porcupine were major on-site seed predators. Scatter-hoarding was rare (1.4%). Seeds at hornbill nest trees had lower survival compared with parent fruiting trees, indicating that clumped dispersal by hornbills may not necessarily improve seed survival. Seed survival in the presence and absence of rodents varied with tree species. Some species (e.g. Polyalthia simiarum) showed no difference, others (e.g. Dysoxylum binectariferum) experienced up to a 64% decrease in survival in the presence of rodents. The differing magnitude of seed predation by rodents can have significant consequences at the seed establishment stage.

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Relationships between Plant Biodiversity and Soil Fertility in a Mature Tropical Forest, Costa Rica

International Journal of Forestry Research ◽

10.1155/2015/732946 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Martin B. Nadeau ◽

Thomas P. Sullivan

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Costa Rica ◽

Soil Fertility ◽

Tropical Forest ◽

Tree Species ◽

Plant Biodiversity ◽

Total N ◽

Fertility Index ◽

Tree Species Richness ◽

Soil Fertility Index

We aimed to study relationships between plant biodiversity and soil chemical fertility in a mature tropical forest of Costa Rica. Soil samples were collected in nine sampling plots (5 m by 25 m) in order to identify P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and Al and total N contents, soil fertility index, CEC, pH, and C/N ratio. Furthermore, species richness, Shannon-Wiener and Simpson’s species diversities, structural richness, and structural diversity were calculated for each plot. Simple linear regression analyses were conducted. Tree species richness was inversely related to concentration levels of K, Ca, and P, CEC, and soil fertility index. Therefore, higher tree species richness tended to be found on sites with lower soil fertility, which is the complete opposite of temperate forests. As a result, tropical and temperate forest ecology should be considered separately. Shannon-Wiener tree species diversity was positively correlated to C/N ratio. Herb structural richness was positively correlated with soil fertility index and P concentration. Therefore, herb structural richness may be a good indicator of soil fertility. This study gives important insights on ecological relationships between plant biodiversity and soil chemical fertility in a primary tropical forest.

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Landscape-scale drivers of mammalian species richness and functional diversity in forest patches within a mixed land-use mosaic

Ecological Indicators ◽

10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106176 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 113 ◽

pp. 106176

Author(s):

Yvette C. Ehlers Smith ◽

David A. Ehlers Smith ◽

Tharmalingam Ramesh ◽

Colleen T. Downs

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Species Richness ◽

Functional Diversity ◽

Mammalian Species ◽

Landscape Scale ◽

Forest Patches ◽

Mixed Land Use

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Interspecific Difference in Seed Dispersal Characteristics between Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata) and Sympatric Japanese Martens (Martes melampus)

Folia Primatologica ◽

10.1159/000509385 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 91 (6) ◽

pp. 711-720

Author(s):

Yamato Tsuji ◽

Risma Yanti ◽

Atsushi Takizawa ◽

Toshio Hagiwara

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Seed Dispersal ◽

Macaca Fuscata ◽

Mammalian Species ◽

Japanese Macaques ◽

Interspecific Difference ◽

Herbaceous Plant ◽

Plant Seeds ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

Martes Melampus

We compared the characteristics of seeds within faeces between semi-terrestrial Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) and sympatric arboreal Japanese martens (Martes melampus) in Shiga Heights, central Japan. We collected faecal samples of the two mammalian species for 1 year (n = 229 for macaques and n = 22 for martens). We then compared the proportion of seed occurrence, life-form composition, number of seeds and species richness within single faecal samples, and the seed intact ratio between the two mammalian species. We detected seeds from 20 and 7 species from macaque and marten faeces, respectively. Macaque faeces contained seeds of multiple strata, while marten faeces contained no herbaceous plant seeds. Seed sizes within faeces showed no interspecific difference. For macaques, seeds were found within faecal samples collected in late spring to late fall, while for martens, seeds were found between summer and winter. The proportion of seed occurrence was greater in summer (both species) and fall (macaques), which implied that the seed dispersal roles of macaques and martens was greater in these seasons. The mean seed number (across species), intact ratio of seeds (high for both species) and seed species richness within single faecal samples of macaques and martens showed no significant differences, but for several species, martens defecated more seeds than macaques and showed higher intact ratio. Our study indicates that sympatric mammals in the temperate regions of Japan contribute differently to seed dispersal in forest ecosystems.

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The effects of climate change on a mega-diverse country: predicted shifts in mammalian species richness and turnover in continental Ecuador

Biotropica ◽

10.1111/btp.12467 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 49 (6) ◽

pp. 821-831 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Paula Iturralde-Pólit ◽

Olivier Dangles ◽

Santiago F. Burneo ◽

Christine N. Meynard

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Species Richness ◽

Mammalian Species

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Mammals of the Saracá-Taquera National Forest, northwestern Pará, Brazil

Biota Neotropica ◽

10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2018-0583 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Analice Calaça ◽

Michel Barros Faria ◽

Diego Afonso Silva ◽

Áquila Oliveira Fialho ◽

Fabiano Rodrigues de Melo

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Geographic Distribution ◽

Mammalian Species ◽

National Forest ◽

Large Mammals ◽

Mammalian Fauna ◽

The World ◽

Amazonian Rainforest ◽

Mammal Faunas ◽

First Time

Abstract: The Amazonian rainforest harbors one of the most diverse mammal faunas found anywhere in the world, although this fauna is still poorly known. Inventories are essential for the understanding of the biology and ecology of species, and provide basic data for conservation. Over 15 years of sampling in the Saracá-Taquera National Forest, we recorded 72 species of small (nonvolant), medium, and large mammals belonging to 30 families in 10 orders. These taxa included 29 species endemic to the Amazon biome, and 14 classified as threatened with extinction. Overall, the mammalian species richness recorded in the present study was equal to or greater than that recorded in other Amazonian studies, reflecting high levels of diversity on a biogeographic scale. This reinforces the importance of this national forest for the maintenance of the region's mammalian fauna. Some of the species were recorded in the region for the first time, thus extending their known geographic distribution.

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