scholarly journals Population Estimate, Habitat-Use and Activity Patterns of the Honey Badger in a Dry-Deciduous Forest of Central India

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilanjan Chatterjee ◽  
Parag Nigam ◽  
Bilal Habib
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Habitat Preference ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Diel Activity ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Large Carnivores ◽  
Cuon Alpinus

Studies on carnivores are skewed toward larger species in India, limiting ecological information of the smaller ones. Basic ecological understanding like population density, distribution, habitat-use patterns of small carnivores is lacking. This inadequate knowledge has led to disagreement between conservation approaches in different landscapes. Honey badgers (Mellivora capensis) are cryptic carnivores distributed across large areas of Africa and Asia; however, fundamental ecological knowledge is scarce. The species is thought to exist at low population densities throughout its range. We used a large camera trap dataset from a tiger reserve in Maharashtra State, India to understand the population density, habitat preference, and diel activity pattern of the species. We applied an extension of the spatial count model for the estimation of population. Habitat preference analyses were carried out using generalized linear models and activity patterns were analyzed using kernel-density functions. The population density was estimated as 14.09 (95% CI 10–22.25) individuals per 100 km2. Habitat use revealed a positive association with forest cover and negative association with elevation. This may expose the species to other large carnivores in the habitat but honey badger activity pattern peaked at midnight retaining minimum temporal overlap with other large carnivores (e.g., tiger Panthera tigris, leopard Panthera pardus, and dhole Cuon alpinus) and moderate overlap with small carnivores (e.g., jungle cat Felis chaus, rusty-spotted cat Prionailurus rubiginosus). These behaviors, in turn, may facilitate the coexistence of species at such high density even with high carnivore density. We hope the findings of this study will fill the existing knowledge gap of this species and aid in guiding the conservation of the species in other landscapes and reserves.

scholarly journals Sympatric competitors have driven the evolution of temporal activity patterns in Cnemaspis geckos in Southeast Asia

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hung Ngoc Nguyen ◽  
Chih-Ming Hung ◽  
Ming-Yuan Yang ◽  
Si-Min Lin
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Diel Activity ◽  
Habitat Niche ◽  
Rocky Habitat ◽  
Habitat Specialists

AbstractIt is often assumed that animals’ temporal activity patterns are highly conserved throughout evolution. While most geckos are nocturnal, the species in the Cnemaspis genus are mostly diurnal (only a few are nocturnal). This raises a question about the evolution of a diel niche in the Cnemaspis genus. Cnemaspis geckos are distributed across Southeast Asia and are often sympatric with Cyrtodactylus, another widespread gecko genus in the same area. Since both genera are mainly rocky habitat specialists, we hypothesize that Cyrtodactylus may influence the temporal activity pattern of Cnemaspis when they are sympatric through competition. By analyzing habitat data, diel activity, and the existence of sympatric Cyrtodactylus species across the phylogeny of the Cnemaspis genus, we found (1) strong phylogenetic signals in the habitat use trait but not in temporal activity, suggesting that the diel niche of this genus is more labile compared with habitat niche, and (2) a significant association with the temporal activity pattern of Cnemaspis and the sympatry between the two genera, with the former tending to be diurnal when they are sympatric. Originated from a diurnal common ancestor, the release from competition with Cyrtodactylus species might open an opportunity for some Cnemaspis species to shift to nocturnal niches.

scholarly journals Individual variability of wild juvenile Atlantic salmon activity patterns: effect of flow stage, temperature, and habitat use

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 1082-1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu L. Roy ◽  
André G. Roy ◽  
James W.A. Grant ◽  
Normand E. Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Daily Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Diel Activity ◽  
Large Network ◽  
Lower Velocity ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Flow Stage

The magnitude of variation of diel activity patterns and habitat use of wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr was examined during the summer and autumn through a gradient of declining temperature. Fish were marked with passive integrated transponders and tracked using a large network of flatbed antennas. High interindividual variability was observed, as some individuals were predominantly nocturnal whereas others frequently changed their daily activity pattern. Overall fish activity decreased with decreasing temperature and increasing flow stage, but most of these changes in daily activity were observed in crepuscular periods. Parr used habitats with lower velocity at night than in the day during the summer, but not in the autumn. Furthermore, there was no difference between day and night habitats for fish that were cathemeral (active both day and night during a given day), so differences between day and night habitats were the result of individuals adopting different activity patterns. These results suggest that habitat interacts with activity pattern, as individuals using suboptimal habitats seem to increase daytime foraging to secure sufficient energy. Temporal and among-fish variability of activity patterns illustrate the dynamic nature of foraging decisions that may partly result from trade-offs experienced at the microhabitat scale.

Habitat use, temporal activity patterns and foraging behaviour of raptors in the south-west of the Northern Territory, Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Aumann
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Diel Activity ◽  
The South ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
South West ◽  
Diel Activity Patterns ◽  
Vegetation Structures

On the basis of opportunistic observations, the preferred habitats of diurnal raptors in the south-west of the Northern Territory are quantified in terms of their vegetation structures and composition, and linked with foraging methods and information on local diets. Broad interspecific differences in diel activity patterns are also described. The evidence suggests that raptor species in this part of arid Australia differ with respect to their foraging times, habitats and methods, and that these differences relate to their partitioning of food resources.

scholarly journals Diel activity pattern of meso-carnivores in the suburban tropical dry evergreen forest of the Coromandel Coast, India

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 13960-13966
Author(s):  
Kangaraj Muthamizh Selvan ◽  
Bawa Mothilal Krishnakumar ◽  
Pasiyappazham Ramasamy ◽  
Thangadurai Thinesh
Keyword(s):  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Diel Activity ◽  
Evergreen Forest ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Canis Aureus ◽  
Diel Activity Pattern ◽  
Diel Activity Patterns ◽  
Felis Chaus

Sympatric and similar body-sized species exhibit interspecific competition for resources.  The present study investigated diel activity of five meso-carnivore species (Canis aureus, Felis chaus, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, Viverricula indica, and Herpestes edwardsii) in a human-dominated region of Auroville and around Pondicherry University using camera-trap survey data.  Diel activity pattern and overlap were estimated using the kernel density method.  The Jungle Cat Felis chaus and the Golden Jackal Canis aureus exhibited cathemeral diel activity with a high overlap between them (Δ̂1 = 0.78).  The Indian Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardsii displayed a diurnal activity pattern and had low overlap with the Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica (Δ̂1 = 0.34).  Moderate overlap was found between the Small Indian Civet and the Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus (Δ̂1 = 0.32).  Therefore, diel activity patterns of mesocarnivores indicate inter- and intra-specific trade-off competition avoidance resulting in successful foraging.  The present camera-trap survey has provided insights into diel activity patterns and more attention is required to be paid to the study of feeding and breeding ecology of these species in human-dominated landscapes. 

scholarly journals Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) Home Range and Habitat Use in Two Romanian Habitats

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ferenc Jánoska ◽  
Attila Farkas ◽  
Miklós Marosán ◽  
József-Tamás Fodor
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Wild Boar ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Large Carnivores ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Wild Boars ◽  
Daily Movement ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Polygon Method ◽  
Diverse Habitat

Abstract During our research we utilized data provided by GPS collars to compare the spatial patterns of wild boars living in lowland and high-hilly regions. Five wild boars were fitted with GPS Plus (Vectronic) type collars. The two aforementioned investigated habitat areas were as follows: a high-hilly hunting ground from the foot of the Bodoc Mountains (Covasna County), and the meeting point of Olt and Danube rivers in the southern part of the country (Teleorman County). The average daily wild boar activity varied between 2.9 and 3.1 km in the lowlands and between 3.6 and 4.9 km in the higher situated habitats. The average daily movement area calculated with the minimum convex polygon method was between 60.3 and 112.5 ha/day in the lowlands and between 113.5 and 125.2 ha/day in the high-hilly regions. The movement area of the wild boars calculated with the MCP method varied between 1,060 and 1,2001 hectares in lowlands and between 8,689 and 9,463 hectares in higher altitudes. Our data proved inadequate at testing whether or not large carnivores affect wild boar activity patterns. Habitat use analysis produced interesting results: even in a very diverse habitat, every collared individual preferred green forests. We found negative preference for agricultural fields in both habitats.

Diel activity patterns of urban Woodchucks (Marmota monax) revealed by camera traps at burrows in southwestern Ontario, Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-360
Author(s):  
Ronny Steen
Keyword(s):  
Direct Observation ◽  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Daily Activity ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Statistical Modelling ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Diel Activity ◽  
Marmota Monax ◽  
Invasive Method

Animals display a range of diurnal and nocturnal activity patterns and, among mammals, a high proportion of species are crepuscular or nocturnal. Daily activities are often endogenous and oscillate on a light:dark regime. Such cycles are referred to as ‘circadian’ and are generally influenced by biotic and abiotic factors. I investigated the daily activity of urban Woodchucks (Marmota monax) by using 24-hour camera traps at backyard burrows in London, Ontario, Canada, in June. Cameras enabled the collection of data that would otherwise have been labour intensive by direct observation. Statistical modelling showed that Woodchucks exhibited a strictly diurnal activity pattern. The unimodal activity pattern started at sunrise and ended before sunset. The general daily activity trend was similar to the pattern described by others who used direct observations and telemetry to monitor Woodchucks in more rural settings. Temperature and wind were not included in the best-fit model. Camera trapping is a non-invasive method that could give insight to diel activity as it can easily monitor extended periods and reduce the effort required by direct observation.

Habitat use of the central mudminnow (Umbra limi) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in Umbra-Perca assemblages: the roles of competition, predation, and the abiotic environment

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 862-870 ◽  
Author(s):  
William M. Tonn ◽  
Cynthia A. Paszkowski
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Diel Activity ◽  
Strong Interactions ◽  
Niche Shift ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Ontogenetic Niche Shift ◽  
Diel Activity Patterns

We compared spatial distributions and diel activity patterns of three fish populations (co-occurring central mudminnows and yellow perch, and a mudminnow population in a single-species assemblage) throughout the year in two small, northern Wisconsin dystrophic lakes. In winter, all three populations were more active offshore and during the day. During spring and summer–fall all were concentrated inshore, near the bottom, and were more active around dawn and dusk. Winter distributions appeared to be responses to abiotic conditions (ice cover and low oxygen availability); overall patterns during open-water periods appeared to be linked to prey availability (e.g., chironomid emergences). Although the three populations were generally similar, some aspects of habitat use differed between species, between lakes, or between dominant and subdominant populations, with the direction of differences varying seasonally. The yellow perch population was recovering from a size-selective winterkill and between spring and summer underwent an ontogenetic niche shift, first being competitors with mudminnows, then becoming predators on mudminnows. Mudminnows did not alter their vertical or diel activity patterns in the presence of these predatory perch. They did become more concentrated inshore in summer–fall, near structural refuge provided by the bog mat, and, unlike the other two populations, failed to shift their activities offshore at twilight. Our study suggested that a simple habitat in the study lakes contributed both to overall similarities in habitat use and strong interactions between co-occurring populations. However, the ecological flexibility demonstrated by mudminnows may prevent their total exclusion from lakes inhabited by perch and allow them to respond to changing biotic environments.

Habitat exploitation by a gleaning bat, Plecotus auritus

1996 ◽  
Vol 351 (1342) ◽  
pp. 921-931 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Palaearctic Species ◽  
Feeding Sites ◽  
Deciduous Woodland ◽  
Individual Trees

The brown long-eared bat, Plecotus auritus , differs from most other Palaearctic bats in having broad wings and long ears, which are linked to its slow flight, and its ability to hover and thus glean insects from surfaces. Previous studies have suggested a relation between interspecific variation in morphology of bats, particularly the shape of the wing, and differences in foraging behaviour. It might be predicted therefore that the foraging behaviour of P. auritus would differ from other Palaearctic species that have been studied. To examine activity patterns and habitat use, 16 P. auritus were radio-tracked from six roost sites in northeast Scotland. Differences in behaviour compared to other Palaearctic species were found in the nocturnal activity pattern, habitat use and distance travelled to foraging areas. Plecotus auritus emerged later than other sympatric species, at around 55 min after sunset, and remained active throughout the night, with a generally unimodal activity pattern. Individual bats used a series of feeding sites, to which they returned regularly, and sometimes shared with others from the same roost. Plecotus auritus foraged exclusively in woodland and around individual trees. The bats displayed a preference for deciduous over coniferous woodland, probably reflecting higher insect availability in the former. Hedgerows, tree lines and fence lines were used as commuting routes between roosts and feeding sites. Bats travelled up to 2.8 km from the roost site, but spent most time foraging within 0.5 km of the roost, although males foraged further from the roost than females. The foraging behaviour of P. auritus reflected the morphological specializations of this species, but displayed a degree of intraspecific flexibility. Deciduous woodland in the vicinity of roost sites appeared to be key foraging habitat for P. auritus .

scholarly journals Seasonal and diel activity patterns of the endangered taiga bean goose (Anser fabalis fabalis) during the breeding season, monitored with camera traps

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254254
Author(s):  
Milaja Nykänen ◽  
Hannu Pöysä ◽  
Sari Hakkarainen ◽  
Tuomas Rajala ◽  
Juho Matala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Diel Activity ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Bean Goose ◽  
Diel Activity Patterns ◽  
Anser Fabalis

Taiga bean goose (Anser fabalis fabalis) is an endangered subspecies that breeds sporadically in remote habitats in the arctic and boreal zones. Due to its elusive behaviour, there is a paucity of knowledge on the behaviour of taiga bean goose during the breeding season, and survey methods for monitoring numbers in the breeding areas are lacking. Camera traps are a useful tool for wildlife monitoring, particularly when there is a need for non-invasive methods due to the shy nature of the species. In this study, we tested the use of camera traps to investigate seasonal and diel activity patterns of taiga bean goose in Finland over two successive breeding seasons, 2018 and 2019. We did this by modelling counts of geese from images with generalized linear and additive mixed models. The camera type (cameras placed by experts specialized in bean goose ecology vs randomly placed cameras) did not influence the count of taiga bean goose (p = 0.386). However, the activity varied significantly by region, Julian day, time of day and temperature, with the study site (individual peatland) and year adding substantial random variation and uncertainty in the counts. Altogether, the best fitting model explained nearly 70% of the variation in taiga bean goose activity. The peak in activity occurred about a month later in the southernmost region compared to the more northern regions, which may indicate behaviours related to migration rather than breeding and moulting. Our results show that long-term monitoring with game camera traps provide a potential unobtrusive approach for studying the behavioural patterns of taiga bean goose and can increase our ecological knowledge of this little-known subspecies. The results can be applied to planning of the annual censuses and finding the optimal time frame for their execution.

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