Abstract:
Status, distribution and habitat preference of small carnivores in Wayanad
Wildlife Sanctuary (Wayanad WLS) was studied using camera traps during
November 2016 to February 2017. The present work recorded 25 species of
mammals during the study period that included 1932 camera trap days using
111camera trap stations. Out of that nine species were small carnivores belonging
to four families (Mustelidae, Viverridae, Herpestidae and Felidae). This included
Asian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus, Brown Palm Civet Paradoxurus jerdoni,
Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, Small Indian Civet Viverricula
indica, Indian Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardisii, Ruddy Mongoose Herpestes
smithii, Stripe-necked Mongoose Herpestes vitticollis, Jungle Cat Felis chaus and
Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis. The most common and abundant small
carnivore in Wayanad WLS was Viverricula indica, followed by Herpestes
vitticollis and Paradoxurus hermaphroditus. Among these Aonyx cinereus and
Prionailurus bengalensis are rare species. The time activity pattern of small
carnivores revealed that, all the viverrids were having exclusively nocturnal activity
pattern while the Herpestes smithii and Herpestes vitticollis were showing diurnal
activity pattern.
An attempt was also made during the study to predict the occurrence of the
small carnivores using 20 selected microhabitat variables by binary logistic
regression analysis. The goodness of fit of the model well explained that the binary
logistic regression is not suitable for predicting the occurrence of small carnivores
using microhabitat variables studied. The present study also observed that selected
microhabitat variables like canopy closure and tree density were negatively
influencing the occurrence of Viverricula indica. However, the tree density was the
only significant variable influencing the occurrence of Herpestes vitticollis. An
attempt was also made to compare the small carnivore diversity in the natural
habitat and the Senna spectabilis dominated landscape in Wayanad WLS. However,
no significant difference in the small carnivore diversity was observed between
these two habitats.
Wayanad WLS supports one endemic species of small carnivore, the
Paradoxurus jerdoni and one threatened species, the Aonyx cinereus. Therefore, the
present study highlights the significance of the Wayanad WLS as a prime habitat
for the conservation of the small carnivores.
