Abstract: Panthera pardus japonensis is the top predator in the temperate montane forest ecosystem of North China and has critical ecological functions. In this study, we conducted a systematically designed camera-trapping survey on the wild population of Panthera pardus japonensis in central Taihang Mountains from 2016 to 2023. Based on the data collected from 332 camera stations with an extensive sampling effort of 416 242 camera-days, we summarized the breeding records and examined the reproductive parameters of this leopard population. The survey covered 191 sampling grid cells (4 km×4 km each), and a total of 5 065 independent detections of Panthera pardus japonensis were recorded, of which 261 were recognized as breeding events, including 17 following events between adult male and female, 5 mating events, and 243 cub-rearing events. A total of 57 adult female leopards (the minimum number of identifiable individuals) were identified, of which 24 female leopards gave birth to 43 litters, including 19 litters that were consecutive births. A total of 79 cubs were recorded as successfully leaving the den and dwelling with their mother. Among the cubs whose gender can be clearly identified (n= 29), the female to male sex ratio was 0. 93: 1. Male-female following events mainly occurred in winter and spring, while births were distributed throughout the year without distinct seasonality. The litter size was 1. 84 ±0. 74 (n= 43), the interval between successive births was 18. 83 ±9. 18 months (n= 19), and the age of females upon the first parturition was 4. 61 ±1. 62 years (n= 3). The cubs became independent at 11. 98 ±1. 93 months (n= 26), and 32. 6% of the juveniles remained within our study area for over 1 year after their independence. The results of Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that, the average survival duration of female and male cubs was 1 648 and 1 467 days, respectively, and the survival curve of males showed a steeper downward trend. For the first time, in this study we examined the reproductive parameters of Panthera pardus japonensis population based on long-term field survey data and observatory records. Future research shall further explore the underlying mechanisms of how human and natural factors affect the leopard’s reproductive and survival, and determine the key limiting factors. The results of these studies will provide scientific support and valuable guidance for formulating effective conservation strategies for this endangered big cat.

Key words: Panthera pardus japonensis, Reproductive ecology, Reproductive parameters, Litter size, Camera-trapping, Taihang Mountains

摘要： 豹华北亚种(Panthera pardus japonensis)是华北温带森林生态系统中的顶级捕食者，具有极为重要的生态功能。本研究于2016—2023年，基于332个红外相机调查位点收集的数据(累计相机工作日416 242 d)，对太行山中段豹种群的繁殖状况进行调查和初步总结，分析了该种群的繁殖生态、繁殖行为和幼仔的生存情况。研究期间，调查范围覆盖191个4 km×4 km网格，共记录到豹独立有效探测5 065次，从中识别出261次繁殖事件，包括成年雄豹和雌豹互相跟随事件17次，交配事件5次，育幼事件243次。累计共识别出57只成年雌豹(最小可识别个体数)，其中24只雌豹繁育了43胎(其中19胎为连续繁殖)。共记录到79只成功离巢的豹幼仔；在能够清晰识别性别的幼仔(n=29)中，雌雄性别比为0.93∶1。尾随事件主要发生在冬季和春季，产仔事件则全年分布，无明显季节性。在研究区内，豹胎仔数(以成功离巢幼仔数计)(1.84 ±0.74)只(n=43)，产仔间隔(18.83 ±9.18)个月(n=19)，雌豹首次分娩年龄(4.61 ±1.62)岁(n=3)；幼仔独立时间为(11.98 ±1.93)月龄(n=26)，独立后稳定留存超过1年的个体占32.6%。生存曲线分析结果显示，雌性和雄性幼仔的平均留存时间分别为1 648 d和1 467 d；雄性的留存时长显示出更快的下降趋势。本研究首次基于长期的系统野外调查数据，初步分析了野生豹华北亚种种群的繁殖参数。后续研究应深入探究人为和自然因素对豹种群繁殖生态和生存状况的影响机制，识别限制华北豹生存和繁殖的关键因素，为制定切实有效的华北豹保护策略提供科学支持。

关键词: 豹华北亚种, 繁殖生态, 繁殖参数, 胎仔数, 红外相机, 太行山