Distribution and habitat use of leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis chinensis) in Nantou area

• Main Authors: Chao-Ping Farng, 房兆屏
• Other Authors: Jian-Nan Liu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/78052087231054583913

碩士 === 國立嘉義大學 === 森林暨自然資源學系研究所 === 105 === The leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis chinensis) is listed as an endangered species in Taiwan. Research from the last decade showed that the distribution of leopard cat is limited in lowland area of Miaoli, Taichung and Nantou areas. A systematic investigation on population status of leopard cat, however, was conducted in Miaoli area only. Although the leopard cat was recorded occasionally in Nantou area, less is known about its current distribution and ecology. In this study, I created 2 km × 2 km grids in the area that elevation below 1,000 m in Nantou County. In each grid one camera trap was used to investigate the distribution and daily activity pattern of leopard cat and its sympatric carnivores. In addition, I examined the habitat use of leopard cat and used the Maximum Entropy model to predict the suitable habitat for leopard cat in Nantou area. From May 2014 to June 2016, a total of 158 camera traps were used in our study area. Results show that leopard cats were found in 64 out of the 158 locations, majority in Jiji and Chungliao Township and nearby area. The time from camera trap initiated to the first leopard cat photo was taken averaged 857.6 ± 749.9 hr. Predicted suitable habitat for leopard cat includes 508.42 km2, equivalent to 29% of the area that elevation <1,000 m in Nantou County. Distribution of leopard cat was highly overlapped with that of Formosan ferret-badger (Melogale moschata subaurantiaca) and Masked palm civet (Paguma larvata taivana). The occurrence of leopard cat in each grid was positively correlated with that of Red-bellied squirrel and small mammals including rodents and insectivores, and was negatively correlated with that of Crab-eating mongoose. Six carnivores were recorded in our study area. Among them, all are nocturnal with the exception of the Crab-eating mongooses and feral dogs, which are more of diurnal, and feral cats (Felis silvestris catus), which shows all day activity. Leopard cat occurred more often in broadleaf-bamboo mixed forests, forests with lower canopy coverage and areas that are away from roads larger than 10 m. I suggest that future study should focus on home range of leopard cat in order to estimate the population size in Nantou area.