Habitat Selection and Activity Patterns of Japanese Serows and Sika Deer with Currently Sympatric Distributions.

Abstract

Simple SummaryInvestigating the interspecific interactions between species provides a suitable model for understanding the mechanisms of coexistence between sympatric species. We assessed the spatial and temporal partitioning of spaces between Japanese serows (Capricornis crispus) and sika deer (Cervus nippon), which are usually allopatric, in an area with early-stage invasion of sika deer into Japanese serow habitat. The habitat selection and activity patterns of the two species were evaluated using camera traps. Both species were recorded in >25% of the same camera sites and showed similar selection tendencies for water resources. The Japanese serows selected steep slopes, whereas the sika deer selected areas distant from human settlements, resulting in low spatial overlap. Additionally, the Japanese serows were more active during the daytime, whereas the sika deer were active at the crepuscule. The observed spatial and temporal partitioning likely reduces their encounter rates, thereby minimizing possible interference competition. However, spatial and temporal overlaps between the two species are likely to increase as the density of sika deer increases, potentially resulting in a decline in the density of Japanese serows with smaller body sizes. Trapping for deer management should be focused on areas with gentle slopes, away from valleys and human settlements, to reduce the unintentional capture of Japanese serows.The Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) and sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Japan are usually allopatric. However, a recent expansion in the distribution range of sika deer, combined with an increase in abundance, has resulted in an overlap of the distribution ranges of the two species. We examined the habitat selection and activity patterns of Japanese serows and sika deer using camera traps placed at 83 sites within a 210 km2 study area, where the distribution range of these two species has recently overlapped. Although both species were photographed throughout the study area, we observed a low spatial overlap between them. The Japanese serows selected steep slopes, and the sika deer selected areas far away from human settlements. In addition, the Japanese serows and sika deer exhibited temporal partitioning with diurnal and crepuscular activity patterns, respectively. The observed partitioning could be explained by differences in their species-specific habitat selections, rather than competition, because the photographic capture rate of the Japanese serows was not affected by that of the sika deer and vice versa. These partitioning behaviors are likely to reduce the rate of encounters between the two ungulates, which enables their coexistence considering the sika deer density remains low.