Abstract

The snow leopard is a keystone species in mountain ecosystems of Central Asia and the Tibetan Plateau. However, little is known about the interactions between snow leopards and sympatric carnivores. Using infrared cameras, we found a rocky junction of two valleys in Sanjiangyuan area on the Tibetan Plateau where many mammals in this area passed and frequently marked and sniffed the site at the junction. We suggest that this site serves as a sign post to many species in this area, especially snow leopards and other carnivores. The marked signs may also alert the animals passing by to temporally segregate their activities to avoid potential conflicts. We used the Schoener index to measure the degree of temporal segregation among the species captured by infrared camera traps at this site. Our research reveals the probable ways of both intra- and interspecies communication and demonstrates that the degree of temporal segregation may correlate with the degree of potential interspecies competition. This is an important message to help understand the structure of animal communities. Discovery of the sign post clarifies the importance of identifying key habitats and sites of both snow leopards and other species for more effective conservation.

Highlights

  • E snow leopard (Panthera uncia), an endangered species listed in IUCN Red List [1], occurs in remote and rugged mountains across Central Asia and the Tibetan Plateau [2]

  • Most studies of snow leopard have focused on its habitat [4, 5] and food habits [6,7,8], whereas little is known about the interaction of snow leopards and their sympatric species

  • To identify the interaction between snow leopards and sympatric species, we recorded the date, time, and corresponding behavior of the animals passing by this site with infrared camera traps. e analysis of these behaviors showed that snow leopards and other carnivores frequently marked and sniffed at this site, indicating the site functions as a sign post

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Summary

Introduction

E snow leopard (Panthera uncia), an endangered species listed in IUCN Red List [1], occurs in remote and rugged mountains across Central Asia and the Tibetan Plateau [2]. For example, been found in snow leopard [11], giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) [12], and American black bear (Ursus americanus) [13] habitats. We discovered a site sniffed and marked by snow leopards and several other carnivores, a sign post. International Journal of Biodiversity which sees or smells this message Such communication could help different species avoid direct confrontation and may lead to temporal segregation [15]. To identify the interaction between snow leopards and sympatric species, we recorded the date, time, and corresponding behavior of the animals passing by this site with infrared camera traps. E analysis of these behaviors showed that snow leopards and other carnivores frequently marked and sniffed at this site, indicating the site functions as a sign post. Our data showed that the sympatric carnivores were temporally segregated in both annual and daily activity patterns. e degree of temporal segregation may be related to the degree of competition among the species

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