IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Maffei, L.; Cu‚llar, E.; Noss, A. | |
| Small Felid Community Study in a Dry Forest | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Camera traps have become an important source of information for cryptic/nocturnal species. From January 2002 to January 2005 we set 24-32 pairs of camera traps in two-month systematic sampling efforts, two or three samples per site, at four dry forest study sites in order to study carnivore/felid abundance. The sites ranged across a precipitation gradient from 400 to 800 mm/year. Individual ocelots (_Leopardus pardalis_) and Geoffroy's cats (_Leopardus geoffroyi_) could be identified from pelage patterns, allowing density estimates applying capture-recapture methodologies, but this was not the case for jaguarundi (_Puma yagouaroundi_). We found that density of ocelots is greater in wetter habitats and declines in drier habitats, whereas Geoffroy's cats are scarce in wetter habitats and become more abundant as precipitation declines. We found no relation between ocelot and jaguarundi abundance, and only a very weak negative correlation between abundance of Geoffroy's cats and jaguarundis respectively. Body size, activity, and abundance (photos/1000 night traps) versus density comparisons are discussed. |
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