@article {147283, title = {Ratel Mellivora capensis in a human-dominated savanna landscape in Kachchh, Gujarat, India}, journal = {Small Carnivore Conservation}, volume = {62}, year = {2024}, month = {04/2024}, abstract = {

Between January and May 2022, Ratel Mellivora capensis was recorded at night at five locations during camera-trapping surveys targeting small carnivores in the Kachchh (Kutch) savanna landscape of Gujarat, India. Informal opportunistic conversations with local villagers revealed that they held negative perceptions about the species {\textendash} they opined that it is a large and ferocious animal capable of injuring, or even killing, humans. The fact that the Ratel is rarely seen, together with its depiction in the media as aggressive and indomitable, perhaps shape such perceptions. More in-depth research would be required to understand what influences these misperceptions, how widely held they are locally and how they may be impacting Ratels.

}, url = {https://smallcarnivoreconservation.com/index.php/sccg/article/view/4935}, author = {Ganguly, Divyajyoti and Srivathsa, Arjun} } @article {125196, title = {Prioritizing India{\textquoteright}s landscapes for biodiversity, ecosystem services and human well-being}, journal = {NATURE SUSTAINABILITY }, year = {2023}, month = {02/2023}, abstract = {

Biodiversity conservation and human well-being are tightly interlinked. Yet, mismatches in the scale at which these two priority issues are planned and implemented have exacerbated biodiversity loss, erosion of ecosystem services and declining human quality of life. India houses the second largest human population on the planet, while \< 5\% of the country{\textquoteright}s land area is effectively protected for conservation. This warrants landscape-level conservation planning through a judicious mix of land-sharing and land-sparing approaches combined with the co-production of ecosystem services. Through a multifaceted assessment, we prioritize spatial extents of land parcels that, in the face of anthropogenic threats, can safeguard conservation landscapes across India{\textquoteright}s biogeographic zones. We found that only a fraction (similar to 15\%) of the priority areas identified here are encompassed under India{\textquoteright}s extant Protected Area network, and furthermore, that several landscapes of high importance were omitted from all previous global-scale assessments. We then examined the spatial congruence of priority areas with administrative units earmarked for economic development by the Indian government and propose management zoning through state-driven and participatory approaches. Our spatially explicit insights can help meet the twin goals of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in India and other countries across the Global South.

Biodiversity conservation is critical for promoting ecosystem services and human well-being, but current conservation efforts fail to protect most high priority zones. A mix of land-sparing and land-sharing is needed to safeguard critical ecosystems in India and across the Global South.

}, doi = {10.1038/s41893-023-01063-2}, author = {Srivathsa, Arjun and Vasudev, Divya and Nair, Tanaya and Chakrabarti, Stotra and Chanchani, Pranav and DeFries, Ruth and Deomurari, Arpit and Dutta, Sutirtha and Ghose, Dipankar and Goswami, Varun R. and Nayak, Rajat and Neelakantan, Amrita and Thatte, Prachi and Vaidyanathan, Srinivas and Verma, Madhu and Krishnaswamy, Jagdish and Sankaran, Mahesh and Ramakrishnan, Uma} } @article {126623, title = {Safe space in the woods: Mechanistic spatial models for predicting risks of human-bear conflicts in India}, journal = {BIOTROPICA }, volume = {55}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, pages = {504-516}, abstract = {

Human-wildlife interactions can have negative consequences when they involve large carnivores. Spatial risk modelling could serve as a useful management approach for predicting and pre-emptively mitigating negative interactions. We present a mechanistic modelling framework and examine interactions between humans and sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) in a multi-use forest landscape of central India. We first assessed patterns and determinants of bear distribution across the landscape using indirect sign surveys. At the same spatial scale, we then estimated spatial probabilities of bear attacks on people using information from 675 interviews with local residents, incorporating estimates of distribution probabilities from the previous step. We found the average occupancy probability across 128 grid-cells to be 0.77 (SE = 0.03). Bear occupancy was influenced by terrain ruggedness, forest composition and configuration, vegetation productivity and size of human settlements. The average probability of a bear attack in any given grid-cell was 0.61 (SE = 0.03), mostly determined by bear occurrence patterns, forest cover, terrain ruggedness, and size of human settlements. Using spatial information on people{\textquoteright}s dependence on forest resources, we identified locations with the highest risk of bear attacks. Our study demonstrates that human attacks by bears-generally believed to be random or incidental-in fact showed deterministic patterns. Our framework can be applied to other scenarios involving human-wildlife conflicts. Based on our findings, we propose that a proactive co-management approach which involves collaboration between wildlife managers and local residents could help better manage human-bear conflicts in central India and elsewhere across the species{\textquoteright} range.

}, doi = {10.1111/btp.13204}, author = {Puri, Mahi and Srivathsa, Arjun and Karanth, Krithi K. and Patel, Imran and Kumar, N. Samba} } @article {131295, title = {Topcats and underdogs: intraguild interactions among three apex carnivores across Asia{\textquoteright}s forestscapes.}, journal = {Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc}, year = {2023}, month = {2023 Jul 14}, abstract = {

Intraguild interactions among carnivores have long held the fascination of ecologists. Ranging from competition to facilitation and coexistence, these interactions and their complex interplay influence everything from species persistence to ecosystem functioning. Yet, the patterns and pathways of such interactions are far from understood in tropical forest systems, particularly across countries in the Global South. Here, we examined the determinants and consequences of competitive interactions between dholes Cuon alpinus and the two large felids (leopards Panthera pardus and tigers Panthera tigris) with which they most commonly co-occur across Asia. Using a combination of traditional and novel data sources (N = 118), we integrate information from spatial, temporal, and dietary niche dimensions. These three species have faced catastrophic declines in their extent of co-occurrence over the past century; most of their source populations are now confined to Protected Areas. Analysis of dyadic interactions between species pairs showed a clear social hierarchy. Tigers were dominant over dholes, although pack strength in dholes helped ameliorate some of these effects; leopards were subordinate to dholes. Population-level spatio-temporal interactions assessed at 25 locations across Asia did not show a clear pattern of overlap or avoidance between species pairs. Diet-profile assessments indicated that wild ungulate biomass consumption by tigers was highest, while leopards consumed more primate and livestock prey as compared to their co-predators. In terms of prey offtake (ratio of wild prey biomass consumed to biomass available), the three species together harvested 0.4-30.2\% of available prey, with the highest offtake recorded from the location where the carnivores reach very high densities. When re-examined in the context of prey availability and offtake, locations with low wild prey availability showed spatial avoidance and temporal overlap among the carnivore pairs, and locations with high wild prey availability showed spatial overlap and temporal segregation. Based on these observations, we make predictions for 40 Protected Areas in India where temporally synchronous estimates of predator and prey densities are available. We expect that low prey availability will lead to higher competition, and in extreme cases, to the complete exclusion of one or more species. In Protected Areas with high prey availability, we expect intraguild coexistence and conspecific competition among carnivores, with spill-over to forest-edge habitats and subsequent prey-switching to livestock. We stress that dhole-leopard-tiger co-occurrence across their range is facilitated through an intricate yet fragile balance between prey availability, and intraguild and conspecific competition. Data gaps and limitations notwithstanding, our study shows how insights from fundamental ecology can be of immense utility for applied aspects like large predator conservation and management of human-carnivore interactions. Our findings also highlight potential avenues for future research on tropical carnivores that can broaden current understanding of intraguild competition in forest systems of Asia and beyond.

}, issn = {1469-185X}, doi = {10.1111/brv.12998}, author = {Srivathsa, Arjun and Ramachandran, Vivek and Saravanan, Pooja and Sureshbabu, Abhijith and Ganguly, Divyajyoti and Ramakrishnan, Uma} } @article {135852, title = {Trunks and treetops: integrating terrestrial and arboreal camera-trap surveys to document elusive mammal communities in India}, journal = {MAMMAL RESEARCH}, year = {2023}, month = {09/2023}, abstract = {

Tropical rainforest canopies harbor nearly half of the world{\textquoteright}s biodiversity. Previous research on rainforest ecosystems has primarily focused on the terrestrial stratum, leading to a limited understanding of forest canopies. Camera traps have seen a wide application in the studies of terrestrial mammals, but their utility for documenting arboreal mammal communities has been far more limited. Financial resources, field training, and access to equipment and logistical constraints may have precluded researchers from undertaking systematic arboreal camera surveys, especially in the Global South countries. We deployed arboreal and terrestrial cameras to document the mammal assemblage in Kadumane estate, Western Ghats, India. During April-May 2022, we documented 3 exclusively arboreal, 11 semi-arboreal and 14 terrestrial species, using 16 cameras in the canopies and 13 cameras on the ground. Using rarefaction curves, we find that 648 trap-nights were sufficient to document all the arboreal species, while \> 1350 trap-nights of additional effort would have been required to document all the terrestrial species in our study site. For each species, we generated an arboreality index (calculated from proportional capture rates) to gauge its propensity for arboreal habits. We also compared the efficacy of using different baits; species responses to shrimp-dry fish baits indicated a reduction in rodent captures when carnivore captures were higher. Our study deliberates on the resources, logistical considerations, and advantages of arboreal camera surveys to study mammal assemblages in forest canopies. Importantly, we highlight the utility of such surveys for understanding the ecology of rare, elusive, and hitherto under-studied species that may be threatened with extinction.

}, doi = {10.1007/s13364-023-00714-1}, author = {Nazareth, Orvill and Srivathsa, Arjun and Ramachandran, Vivek} } @article {118431, title = {Chasms in charismatic species research: Seventy years of carnivore science and its implications for conservation and policy in India}, journal = {BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION }, volume = {273}, year = {2022}, month = {09/2022}, abstract = {

Substantial research and conservation resources are invested towards studying, protecting, and managing carnivore populations, globally. But scholarly investigations that link the outcomes of ecological research and their applications are not commonplace. Such syntheses can have implications for large predator management and human well-being. India holds strategic importance for carnivore conservation and management, supporting 60 species (including two sub-species), at relatively high densities. Reviewing all carnivore studies published in post-independence India (1947-2020), we investigate the academic impacts of published journal articles, and the role of institutions and collaborative research. We then present an analysis of the thematic patterns, trends, and biases in carnivore research. Using multiple case studies, we discuss the pertinence of ecological research in shaping litigation, policy, and conservation, while also deliberating on the facilitative role of funding and bureaucracy. Despite their purported charisma, not all carnivores benefited from extensive ecological studies, nor did conservation policy adequately draw from available scientific information; research studies were skewed towards large felids, and litigation/policies were overwhelmingly shaped by one species, the Bengal tiger Panthera tigris. We argue for reorienting current research efforts through increased focus on lesser-known species, adopting best practices in socio-ecological studies, widening the ambit of interdisciplinary work, democratizing carnivore science through partnerships, and enhancing synergy between carnivore researchers and research groups. Considered together, we believe this paper can serve as a guide for planning future research, for amplifying the overall profile of carnivore conservation science, and may be adapted across tropical countries of the Global South.

}, doi = {10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109694}, author = {Srivathsa, Arjun and Banerjee, Aditya and Banerjee, Soumya and Chawla, Malaika Mathew and Das, Anshita and Ganguly, Divyajyoti and Rodrigues, Ryan G. and Adhya, Tiasa and Bhatia, Saloni and Kshettry, Aritra and Majgaonkar, Iravatee and Punjabi, Girish A. and Puri, Mahi and Singh, Priya and Surve, Nikit} } @article {108046, title = {Methodological approaches for estimating populations of the endangered dhole .}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {10}, year = {2022}, month = {2022}, pages = {e12905}, abstract = {

Large carnivores are important for maintaining ecosystem integrity and attract much research and conservation interest. For most carnivore species, estimating population density or abundance is challenging because they do not have unique markings for individual identification. This hinders status assessments for many threatened species, and calls for testing new methodological approaches. We examined past efforts to assess the population status of the endangered dhole (), and explored the application of a suite of recently developed models for estimating their populations using camera-trap data from India{\textquoteright}s Western Ghats. We compared the performance of Site-Based Abundance (SBA), Space-to-Event (STE), and Time-to-Event (TTE) models against current knowledge of their population size in the area. We also applied two of these models (TTE and STE) to the co-occurring leopard (), for which density estimates were available from Spatially Explicit Capture-Recapture (SECR) models, so as to simultaneously validate the accuracy of estimates for one marked and one unmarked species. Our review of literature (\ =\ 38) showed that most assessments of dhole populations involved crude indices (relative abundance index; RAI) or estimates of occupancy and area of suitable habitat; very few studies attempted to estimate populations. Based on empirical data from our field surveys, the TTE and SBA models overestimated dhole population size beyond ecologically plausible limits, but the STE model produced reliable estimates for both the species. Our findings suggest that it is difficult to estimate population sizes of unmarked species when model assumptions are not fully met and data are sparse, which are commonplace for most ecological surveys in the tropics. Based on our assessment, we propose that practitioners who have access to photo-encounter data on dholes across Asia test old and new analytical approaches to increase the overall knowledge-base on the species, and contribute towards conservation monitoring of this endangered carnivore.

}, issn = {2167-8359}, doi = {10.7717/peerj.12905}, author = {Punjabi, Girish A and Havm{\o}ller, Linnea Wors{\o}e and Havm{\o}ller, Rasmus Wors{\o}e and Ngoprasert, Dusit and Srivathsa, Arjun} } @article {93661, title = {The truth about scats and dogs: Next-generation sequencing and spatial capture-recapture models offer opportunities for conservation monitoring of an endangered social canid}, journal = {BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION}, year = {2021}, month = {04/2021}, abstract = {

Obtaining accurate population counts of endangered species is central to conservation biology, with implications for gaining ecological insights, informing management strategies, and judicial use of conservation funds. Despite decades of progress in methodological developments in the realm of population ecology, reliable density estimates are unavailable for many species of conservation concern. The dhole (Asiatic wild dog Cuon alpinus) is one such endangered large carnivore found in the tropical forests of south and southeast Asia. Here, we (i) develop next-generation sequencing resources to identify individual dholes from genetic samples, (ii) apply these methods to identify individuals in the wild, from scat (fecal) samples collected through systematic field surveys and (iii) generate reliable estimates of dhole densities in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Western Ghats, India) using Spatial Capture-Recapture {\textquoteright}SCR{\textquoteright} models. We estimate dhole densities to be 12-14.2 individuals/100 sq. km based on a set of SCR models, with similar to 50 individuals within Wayanad{\textquoteright}s administrative boundary. Our study presents a methodological improvement in generating population estimates of an important apex predator while also offering ecologically informative insights on a species in dire need of science-based management efforts. Replicating this study across connected reserves and over time can serve as a unified framework for understanding population dynamics, population structures, landscape connectivity and metapopulation-level conservation requirements. We propose that the approach presented here may be adopted as an economically and logistically feasible protocol for conservation monitoring of dholes and other ecologically important species plagued by similar issues of data-deficiency, and insufficient funding and resources.

}, doi = {10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109028}, author = {Srivathsa, Arjun and Rodrigues, Ryan G and Toh, Kok Ben and Zachariah, Arun and Taylor, Ryan W and Oli, Madan K and Ramakrishnan, Uma} } @article {85182, title = {Conservation status of the dhole Cuon alpinus in north-east India, with a focus on Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram}, journal = {ORYX}, volume = {54}, year = {2020}, month = {11/2020}, pages = {873-877}, abstract = {

Despite the efforts invested in their conservation, the status of many threatened carnivores in key conservation landscapes remains unknown. The dhole Cuon alpinus is an Endangered social carnivore whose geographical range has contracted by c. 80\% since the early 20th century. North-east India is a critical link between South Asian and South-east Asian dhole populations. In this study we compiled presence records of dholes across north-east India, from multiple sources. We also conducted camera-trap surveys in one part of this region, Dampa Tiger Reserve in the state of Mizoram. We examined the influence of ecological and management factors on fine-scale site-use by dholes in Dampa Tiger Reserve, showing a positive association of dhole site-use with sambar Rusa unicolor encounters, distance to the forest boundary and presence of forest department personnel, underscoring the importance of prey and protection. Our findings also highlight the need for targeted, multi-scale assessments of dhole ecology across other sites in north-east India.

}, doi = {10.1017/S0030605319000255}, author = {Singh, Priya and Srivathsa, Arjun and Macdonald, David W.} } @article {78009, title = {Every dog has its prey: Range-wide assessment of links between diet patterns, livestock depredation and human interactions for an endangered carnivore.}, journal = {Sci Total Environ}, volume = {714}, year = {2020}, month = {2020 Apr 20}, pages = {136798}, abstract = {

Livestock depredation is the most ubiquitous type of negative interaction between humans and carnivores. We conducted a range-wide assessment linking diet patterns of the endangered dhole Cuon alpinus, with livestock consumption and human-dhole interactions. We first performed a reanalysis of dhole diet data from all published studies (1973-2013) incorporating a recently-developed non-linear correction factor for quantifying prey biomass consumed. We then determined the relative livestock numbers consumed by dholes over time across its range, compared these with earlier estimates, and investigated the relative importance of wild vs. non-wild prey in dhole diet. Using information from \>70 studies, we explored links between livestock consumption by dholes, availability of wild versus non-wild prey, sympatric depredation-prone carnivores, and people{\textquoteright}s perception of dholes as livestock predators. We found that (a) dhole diet profiles varied regionally, (b) dholes consumed fewer livestock compared to estimates generated using other, widely used methods, (c) livestock consumption by dholes was associated with wild and non-wild prey densities, and number of co-predator species, and (d) people{\textquoteright}s negative perception of dholes was associated with pack sizes, levels of livestock depredation and number of sympatric carnivore species. Global efforts for dhole conservation should involve different strategies based on region-specific realities that account for ecological context as well as human perceptions, which would require well-designed studies of dhole social and population dynamics, and human-dhole interactions. We also call for more such range-wide assessments of livestock depredation by wild canids, complemented with direct investigations of human-canid interactions.

}, keywords = {Animals, Biomass, Carnivora, Diet, Dogs, Humans, Livestock, Predatory Behavior}, issn = {1879-1026}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136798}, author = {Srivathsa, Arjun and Sharma, Sushma and Oli, Madan K} } @article {80777, title = {A strategic road map for conserving the Endangered dhole Cuon alpinus in India}, journal = {MAMMAL REVIEW}, year = {2020}, month = {07/2020}, abstract = {

1. Large carnivores face high extinction risks, often exacerbated by the absence of adequate information on their ecological requirements, and the high economic and socio-political commitments that their conservation warrants. Country-scale conservation plans can serve as effective frameworks to prioritise areas, actions, and conservation investments.

2. We explore conservation tenets of retention, recovery, and restoration for the Endangered dholeCuon alpinusin India - a global stronghold for the species. Specifically, we: 1) examine the current status of dholes in India{\textquoteright}s states using a recent distribution assessment; 2) identify areas for directing management interventions - zones to be targeted for population recovery and for habitat recovery; 3) identify potential areas for range expansion; 4) use eco-socio-political criteria to determine state-wise conservation priority scores and likelihood of conservation action; and 5) conduct an exhaustive review of all published literature on dholes.

3. Dholes occupy similar to 49\% of potential habitats in 685 of mainland India{\textquoteright}s 2342 sub-districts. We identified 143 sub-districts with potential for dhole population recovery, 145 for habitat recovery, and 404 for range expansion. Of the 34 mainland states/union territories, 17 were identified as high priority for dhole conservation. Of these, nine are adequately equipped to implement management actions to conserve dholes, while eight need to improve capacity towards increasing likelihood of conservation success.

4. Literature on dholes (from 1874 to 2019;n=237) was dominated by natural history notes, followed by distribution records and studies of population ecology. A majority of the reviewed studies were from India (55\% of 215 country-specific papers). The number of studies showed an exponential increase over time: 43\% were published in the last decade.

5. Our review of published literature revealed significant knowledge gaps in terms of quantitative ecological assessments across all dhole range-countries. Given this context, our results provide a comprehensive, multi-dimensional, and administratively feasible road map for dhole conservation in India, with potential applicability in other dhole range-countries and also for other threatened species.

}, doi = {10.1111/mam.12209}, author = {Srivathsa, Arjun and Sharma, Sushma and Singh, Priya and Punjabi, Girish A. and Oli, Madan K.} } @article {53183, title = {Insights from distribution dynamics inform strategies to conserve a dhole Cuon alpinus metapopulation in India.}, journal = {Sci Rep}, volume = {9}, year = {2019}, month = {2019 Feb 28}, pages = {3081}, abstract = {

Most large carnivore populations currently occur in heterogeneous landscapes, with source populations embedded in a matrix of human-dominated habitats. Understanding changes in distribution of endangered carnivores is critical for prioritizing and implementing conservation strategies. We examined distribution and dynamics of a dhole Cuon alpinus metapopulation, first in 2007 and subsequently in 2015, based on indirect sign surveys across 37, 000sq. km of India{\textquoteright}s Western Ghats. Predicted dhole occupancy declined from 0.62 (95\% CI: 0.58-0.66) in 2007 to 0.54 (95\% CI: 0.50-0.58) in 2015. Occupancy was associated with abundance of primary prey species and anthropogenic disturbance. Local extinction appeared to be influenced by forest cover loss, and offset by protected reserves; colonization was influenced by occupancy in neighbouring sites. Perturbation analysis indicated that occupancy was more sensitive to local extinction within reserves and to colonization in sites abutting reserves. The Western Ghats could serve as a stronghold for the endangered dhole, provided future colonizations are facilitated through habitat consolidation beyond reserve boundaries, and local extinctions are prevented by increasing protection efforts within select reserves. We advocate for wildlife managers to adopt a landscape-based approach and periodic monitoring to ensure persistence of the dhole metapopulation in Western Ghats, and in other critical conservation regions across the species{\textquoteright} geographic range.

}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-019-39293-0}, author = {Srivathsa, Arjun and Karanth, K Ullas and Kumar, N Samba and Oli, Madan K} } @article {26656, title = {Bayesian Methods for Estimating Animal Abundance at Large Spatial Scales Using Data from Multiple Sources}, journal = {Journal of Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Statistics}, volume = {22}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, pages = {111{\textendash}139}, abstract = {

Estimating animal distributions and abundances over large regions is of primary interest in ecology and conservation. Specifically, integrating data from reliable but expensive surveys conducted at smaller scales with cost-effective but less reliable data generated from surveys at wider scales remains a central challenge in statistical ecology. In this study, we use a Bayesian smoothing technique based on a conditionally autoregressive (CAR) prior distribution and Bayesian regression to address this problem. We illustrate the utility of our proposed methodology by integrating (i) abundance estimates of tigers in wildlife reserves from intensive photographic capture{\textendash}recapture methods, and (ii) estimates of tiger habitat occupancy from indirect sign surveys, conducted over a wider region. We also investigate whether the random effects which represent the spatial association due to the CAR structure have any confounding effect on the fixed effects of the regression coefficients.

}, author = {Dey, S and Delampady, M and Parameshwaran, Ravishankar and Samba Kumar, N and Srivathsa, Arjun and Karanth, Ullas} } @article {20321, title = {Large anthropogenic impacts on a charismatic small carnivore: Insights from distribution surveys of red panda Ailurus fulgens in Nepal.}, journal = {PLoS One}, volume = {12}, year = {2017}, month = {2017}, pages = {e0180978}, abstract = {

Protected areas are key to preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem services. However, their ability to ensure long-term survival of threatened andendangered species varies across countries, regions and landscapes. Distribution surveys can beparticularly important for assessing the value of protected areas, and gauging their efficacy incatering to species-specific requirements. We assessed the conservation value of one such reserve for a charismatic yet globally endangered species, the red panda Ailurus fulgens,in the light of on-going land-use transformation in Nepal. We conducted field surveys forindirect signs of red pandas along forest trails in 25-km2 sampling grid cells (n = 54) of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, and confronted a set of ecological hypotheses to the data using hierarchical occupancy models. We estimated overall occupancy at Ψ(SE) = 0.41 (0.007), with relatively high site-level detectability [p = 0.93 (SE = 0.001)]. Our results show that despitebeing a subsistence form of small-scale resource use, extraction of bamboo and livestock grazing negatively affected panda occurrence, albeit at different intensities. The amount of bamboo cover,rather than the overall proportion of forest cover, had greater influence on the panda occurrence. Despite availability of bamboo cover, areas with bamboo extraction and anthropogenic disturbances were less likely to be occupied by pandas. Together, these results suggest that long-term persistence of red pandas in this reserve and elsewhere across the species{\textquoteright} range will require preventing commercial extractionof bamboo, coupled with case-specific regulation of anthropogenic exploitation of red panda habitats.

}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0180978}, author = {Panthi, Saroj and Khanal, Gopal and Acharya, Krishna Prasad and Aryal, Achyut and Srivathsa, Arjun} } @article {13269, title = {Spatio-temporal interactions facilitate large carnivore sympatry across a resource gradient.}, journal = {Proc Biol Sci}, volume = {284}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 Feb 08}, abstract = {

Species within a guild vary their use of time, space and resources, thereby enabling sympatry. As intra-guild competition intensifies, such behavioural adaptations may become prominent. We assessed mechanisms of facilitating sympatry among dhole (Cuon alpinus), leopard (Panthera pardus) and tiger (Panthera tigris) in tropical forests of India using camera-trap surveys. We examined population-level temporal, spatial and spatio-temporal segregation among them across four reserves representing a gradient of carnivore and prey densities. Temporal and spatial overlaps were higher at lower prey densities. Combined spatio-temporal overlap was minimal, possibly due to chance. We found fine-scale avoidance behaviours at one high-density reserve. Our results suggest that: (i) patterns of spatial, temporal and spatio-temporal segregation in sympatric carnivores do not necessarily mirror each other; (ii) carnivores are likely to adopt temporal, spatial, and spatio-temporal segregation as alternative mechanisms to facilitate sympatry; and (iii) carnivores show adaptability across a gradient of resource availability, a driver of inter-species competition. We discuss behavioural mechanisms that permit carnivores to co-occupy rather than dominate functional niches, and adaptations to varying intensities of competition that are likely to shape structure and dynamics of carnivore guilds.

}, issn = {1471-2954}, doi = {10.1098/rspb.2016.1860}, author = {Karanth, K Ullas and Srivathsa, Arjun and Vasudev, Divya and Puri, Mahi and Parameshwaran, Ravishankar and Kumar, N Samba} }