Appraising carnivore (Mammalia: Carnivora) studies in Bangladesh from 1971 to 2019 bibliographic retrieves: trends, biases, and opportunities

Muntasir Akash,Tania Zakir

doi:10.11609/jott.6486.12.15.17105-17120

Abstract

In contrast to <7% natural forest covers and >1,000 people living km-2, Bangladesh, one of the smallest countries in Asia, shelters 28 carnivorous mammals. The species are of six families, nearly half of the entire carnivore diversity of the Indian Subcontinent. Carnivores of Bangladesh are little understood and they are disappearing fast despite receiving stern protection. Yet, there has been no assessment on the status of existing knowledge. A review was aimed to assess the existing knowledge and evaluate the research trends in country’s mammalian carnivores. Peer-reviewed works published from 1971 to 2019 were skimmed and categorized systematically according to five traits: publication type, research topic, time of publication, region, and species of study. In a total of 95 works examined, substantial numbers were on tiger (n=45) and the Sundarbans (n=47). In imbalance to action plans procured for tiger conservation, 14 carnivores have never been exclusively studied in Bangladesh. Of the research topics, preference was evident for wildlife management and conflict analyses as there were 31 scientific papers out of 63 in these categories. Inventory compilation for books (18 of 24) comprised the next preferred subject. The assessment could identify gaps in related knowledge in different regions of the country. Eastern region has experienced a meagre amount of work, although its mixed evergreen forests have larger combined area than the Sundarbans, and is known for its higher richness of diversity. Exclusive works outside legally defined protected areas were also low. We found no works in northwestern and southern Bangladesh. In the last two decades, the temporal trajectory of research effort has been more, and the topics have started to diversify. In order to improve conservation practices, we stress that gaps in knowledge pertaining to region or subject may be bridged with contemporary study techniques. This is crucial to highlight the status of carnivore species that are otherwise ‘elusive’, ‘apparently absent’, or ‘least-known’.

Highlights

Carnivora that constitute the fifth largest mammalian order faces taxon-wide existential crisis (Inskip & Zimmermann 2009; Ripple et al 2014)
We came across seven project reports (Appendix 1) that were excluded from our analysis
Out of total 95 references used for analysis in the study, ‘wildlife management and conflict analysis’ (n=42, 44.2%) appeared to be the most prolific research topic among all types

Summary

Introduction

Carnivora that constitute the fifth largest mammalian order faces taxon-wide existential crisis (Inskip & Zimmermann 2009; Ripple et al 2014). Conserving carnivores is a major concern worldwide (Treves & Karanth 2003). The concern is in recognition of the fact that for a stable and diverse community of wild animals, carnivorous mammals exert intangible influences. They can act as apex predators and their absence often leads to trophic cascades (Prug et al 2009; Ripple et al 2014; Suraci et al 2017). As the ecosystem services of a carnivore can be of an umbrella or keystone to conserve an ecosystem in its entirety (Sergio et al 2008; Baker & Leberg 2018), human intervention in wildlife management practices cannot supersede or bypass a carnivore’s natural impact in the wild (Gittleman & Gompper 2005; Ripple et al 2014)

Methods

Results

Conclusion