Spatiotemporal niche relationship between leopard and its sympatric carnivores in the forest of Baizha, Qinghai Province

CHAI Yuhua; MAO Xiaoning; Gamachenglinqiujiang; LI Guogang; SUN Nan

doi:10.16829/j.slxb.150945

2024 , Vol. 44 >Issue 6: 706 - 716

DOI: https://doi.org/10.16829/j.slxb.150945

ORIGINAL PAPERS

Spatiotemporal niche relationship between leopard and its sympatric carnivores in the forest of Baizha, Qinghai Province

CHAI Yuhua ,
MAO Xiaoning ,
Gamachenglinqiujiang ,
LI Guogang ,
SUN Nan

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1 Academy of Plateau Science and Sustainability, School of Life Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810008, China;
2 School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China;
3 Qinghai Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station in the Southern Qilian Mountains, Huzhu 810500, China;
4 Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Formation Mechanism and Comprehensive Utilization of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in Qinghai Province, Xining 810008, China

Received date: 2024-04-30

Revised date: 2024-10-29

Online published: 2024-12-02

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Abstract

How does the presence of dominant top predators affect the spatiotemporal dynamics of other predators in the community, it is crucial for understanding the maintain mechanisms of animal community diversity. In Baizha forest of Qinghai province, located in the southern Sanjiangyuan region, based on monitoring data of 46 available infrared camera sites collected in winter between (October to next April) from 2021 to 2023, a total of 12 carnivores species are recorded, among which the leopard Panthera pardus is the dominant apex predator in the community. By comparing the vertical spatial distribution, site co-occurrence patterns, and daily activity rhythms between species, this study explores the spatiotemporal interactions between leopard and other predators within the community. The results show: in the spatial niche dimension, leopards utilize the broadest vertical space (Altitude 3 730 - 4 433 m), primarily distributed in the range of altitude 3 900 - 4 100 m. According to the Mann-Whitney U test, the activity altitude of small mustelid is similar to that of leopard, while other carnivores are distributed at significantly higher (snow leopard, wolf, and Eurasian lynx) or lower elevations (brown bear, red fox, and leopard cat). The analysis of single-season dual-species occupancy models between leopards and other carnivores indicates that when leopard is present, wolf and red fox exhibit spatial avoidance (SIF<1); other carnivores tend to coexist with leopard (SIF>1). Elevation is an important factor affecting the probability of site use by the Eurasian lynx, Asian badger, stone marten and leopard cat. Notably, as elevation increases, the spatial relationship between the Asian badger and leopard shifts from coexistence to distinct separation. Regarding the temporal niche dimension, kernel density estimation of daily activity rhythms reveals that leopard exhibited a diurnal activity rhythm, being more active from morning and peaking at 19: 00. Wolf displayes diurnal activity; Although the daily activity does not significantly differ from that of leopard, their activity peaks are staggered. Other carnivores are mainly nocturnal, showing significant differences from the leopard’s diurnal activity rhythm, with the exception of the Asian badger. This study provides fundamental information of the composition and interspecies relationships in the carnivore community of high-altitude forest, and contributes to a deeper understanding of their coexistence mechanisms.

Key words： Leopard(Panthera pardus); Sympatric species; Co-occurrence; Infrared camera traps; Southern Sanjiangyuan region; High-altitude forest

Cite this article

CHAI Yuhua , MAO Xiaoning , Gamachenglinqiujiang , LI Guogang , SUN Nan . Spatiotemporal niche relationship between leopard and its sympatric carnivores in the forest of Baizha, Qinghai Province[J]. ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA, 2024 , 44(6) : 706 -716 . DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150945

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