Abstract: Large Indian civet (Viverra zibetha) is a small carnivore species of Viverridae. The species used to be widely distributed in southern China. However, its distribution range has rapidly decreased since the late 20th century and its population is believed locally extinct in many regions. The research gap in large Indian civet ecology leads to difficulties in conservation planning. Using infrared-triggered camera trapping techniques, we conducted field surveys in Bayuelin Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, for one and a half years. We deployed 100 camera traps and collected animal records of 19 912 camera days, among which large Indian civet was detected at 23 camera traps with 77 independent detections. Non-parametric circular kernel-density method is adopted to analyze the diel activity pattern of large Indian civet and sympatric small carnivores. Occupancy model is adopted to evaluate habitat use, with additional focus on species’response to human-related interference. The study suggests that large Indian civet has a strictly nocturnal activity pattern and high temporal overlap with masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) (Δ = 0. 88, P= 0. 290), hog badger (Arctonyx collaris) (Δ = 0. 80, P= 0. 056), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) (Δ = 0. 73, P= 0. 002) and Chinese ferret-badger (Melogale moschata) (Δ = 0. 72, P< 0. 001), but low temporal overlap with Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani) (Δ = 0. 19, P< 0. 001) and yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula) (Δ = 0. 16, P< 0. 001). Occupancy model reveals that the habitat use of large Indian civet is negatively associated with steep slopes, positively associated with relative abundance of potential prey and close to rivers. Large Indian civet is found mainly distributed in lower coniferous forest patches, but avoids bamboo understory. The species uses landscapes close to roads and abundant in human activities, but avoids free-ranging domestic dogs. The study fills the gaps in field research on large Indian civet ecology in China, supporting conservation planning in Bayuelin Nature Reserve as well as other regions where large Indian civet is considered a conservation target.

Key words: Large Indian civet (Viverra zibetha), Occupancy model, Daily activity rhythms, Habitat use, Human activity

摘要： 大灵猫(Viverra zibetha)是灵猫科的一种小型食肉动物，曾广泛分布于我国南方，但20世纪中后期以来其国内分布区域快速退缩，种群可能处于严重下降状态。为了填补我国大灵猫生态学研究空缺带来的保护和管理挑战，本研究在四川省八月林自然保护区开展了为期一年半的红外相机调查，共布设红外相机100台，获取19 912个相机日的红外相机照片，在23个位点完成大灵猫的独立探测77次。本研究采用非参数核密度指数法研究了大灵猫与同域小型食肉动物的日活动节律，构建占域模型评估了大灵猫的栖息地利用，并重点分析了大灵猫对人类活动的响应。结果显示大灵猫日活动节律为严格夜行性，与严格夜行性的花面狸(Paguma larvata)(Δ=0.88,P=0.290)和夜行偏晨昏性的猪獾(Arctonyx collaris)(Δ=0.80,P=0.056)日活动节律重叠程度最高，与夜行偏晨昏性的豹猫(Prionailurus bengalensis)(Δ=0.73,P=0.002)和严格夜行性的鼬獾(Melogale moschata)(Δ=0.72,P<0.001)日活动节律存在显著差异，而与昼行性的中华小熊猫(Ailurus styani)(Δ=0.19,P<0.001)和黄喉貂(Martes flavigula)(Δ=0.16,P<0.001)日活动节律重叠程度低。占域模型显示大灵猫栖息地利用与坡度呈负相关，与潜在猎物相对多度呈正相关。在八月林区域大灵猫多分布于距离河流较近、乔木层较低矮的人工针叶林中，对竹林有明显的回避。同时，占域模型显示大灵猫对不同类型人类活动的响应存在显著差异，多利用距离道路较近和人类活动较多的区域，但回避散养家犬的活动区域。本研究初步填补了近年对大灵猫的野外生态研究空缺，为后续大灵猫种群生态学的深入研究提供了基础信息，为八月林保护区乃至更多区域的大灵猫保护工作提供科学支持。

关键词: 大灵猫, 占域模型, 日活动节律, 栖息地利用, 人类活动