IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Eaton, T.S.J. | |
| Abundance and activity patterns of the jaguar (_Panthera onca_) in the mountain pine ridge, Belize | |
| 2016 Full Book | |
The abundance and activity patterns of jaguars (_Panthera onca_) are crucial to the understanding of population demographics and communal interactions range wide for a vanishing species. Described as both umbrella and landscape species, jaguars play an important role in community functionality. I estimated jaguar densities and predator-prey temporal interactions to analyze population size and potential prey in the Neotropical pine forests of the Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize through the use of camera trapping techniques. In order to document an accurate account of individuals, I conducted doubleblind identifications between investigators to identify individuals based on unique asymmetrical coat patterns. This yielded 14 individually distinct jaguars with a 1.5:1 male to female ratio. Resulting population densities ranged from a mean density of 1.72 to 4.38 jaguars/100 km2. This region of Belize seems to support an approximate population size ranging from 8-19 jaguars. Jaguars are described as opportunistic predators whose prey selection is driven by relative availability, varying geographically throughout their range. Studies have shown jaguars to display both crepuscular and nocturnal activity patterns. This leads to the notion that jaguar temporal distribution patterns are on an alternating circadian rhythm cycle dependent upon prey activity. I measured temporal overlap between jaguars and potential prey species. Jaguars showed signs of nocturnal activity, but significant activity during dawn and dusk was recorded. No difference was found between individual species and weight class, taxonomic classification, or IUCN status. However, a significant difference was found between each species and activity period, resulting in a separation between combined crepuscular and nocturnal activity periods and diurnal activity periods. While the Mountain Pine Ridge is still understudied, camera trapping proves to be a vital technique to monitor jaguar populations and communal interactions range wide and fills the void pertaining to lack of data from non-traditional jaguar habitats. |
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