Small carnivores of Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, Karnataka, India

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Published: Nov 26, 2014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o3766.6534-43
Keywords:
Abundance, BRT Tiger Reserve, camera trapping, line transects, small carnivores, vehicular survey.

Main Article Content

Honnavalli N. Kumara
Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty (PO), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641108, India
Ovee Thorat
B/502, Atlanta CHS LTD, Mithagar Road, Kandarpada, Dahisar (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400068, India Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Royal Enclave, Sriramapura, Jakkur Post, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560064, India
Kumar Santhosh
Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty (PO), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641108, India
R. Sasi
Department of Anthropology, University of Madras, Chepauk Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005, India
H.P. Ashwin
No. 2434, 1st Cross, Hosabandikeri, Near Nanjumligai Circle, K.R. Mohalla, Mysuru, Karnataka 570024, India Nature Conservation Foundation, 3076/5, IV cross, Gokulam Park, Mysuru, Karnataka 570002, India

Abstract

During the present study in Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT), nine species of small carnivores viz., Jungle Cat Felis chaus, Rusty-spotted Cat Prionalilurus rubiginosus, Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis, Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica, Asian Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, Striped-necked Mongoose Herpestes vitticollis, Ruddy Mongoose Herpestes smithii, Common Mongoose Herpestes edwardsii and Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata, were recorded using camera-trapping technique, transect walks, and night surveys. Vegetation type strongly influences the presence and abundance of each species. The most sightings of small carnivores occurred in dry deciduous forests. Among all the species, the Asian Palm Civet was the most abundant and was followed by the small Indian Civet. Compared to many other forests or regions in India, the sight records of the Rusty-spotted Cat were relatively higher in BRT. Although we were unable to use statistical methods to search for higher levels of interdependencies between forest types and small carnivore abundance, our study sheds light on patterns of small carnivore distribution in this unique habitat which bridges the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 6 No. 12 (2014)
Section
Short Communications

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