Abstract
Population assessments of wide-ranging, cryptic, terrestrial mammals rely on camera trap surveys. While camera trapping is a powerful method of detecting presence, it is difficult distinguishing rarity from low detection rate. The margay (Leopardus wiedii) is an example of a species considered rare based on its low detection rates across its range. Although margays have a wide distribution, detection rates with camera traps are universally low; consequently, the species is listed as Near Threatened. Our 12-year camera trap study of margays in protected broadleaf forest in Belize suggests that while margays have low detection rate, they do not seem to be rare, rather that they are difficult to detect with camera traps. We detected a maximum of 187 individuals, all with few or no recaptures over the years (mean = 2.0 captures/individual ± SD 2.1), with two-thirds of individuals detected only once. The few individuals that were recaptured across years exhibited long tenures up to 9 years and were at least 10 years old at their final detection. We detected multiple individuals of both sexes at the same locations during the same survey, suggesting overlapping ranges with non-exclusive territories, providing further evidence of a high-density population. By studying the sparse annual datasets across multiple years, we found evidence of an abundant margay population in the forest of the Cockscomb Basin, which might have been deemed low density and rare, if studied in the short term. We encourage more long-term camera trap studies to assess population status of semi-arboreal carnivore species that have hitherto been considered rare based on low detection rates.
Highlights
Camera traps are the standard tool for assessing population status of many terrestrial mammals, describing species distributions, and confirming the presence of some of the rarest terrestrial species (e.g. [1, 2])
We further investigate whether the species is rare or has low detection rate associated with sub-optimal sampling design by looking at the effect of trap effort on detections, both the length of the survey period and the density of detectors
In addition to assessing population status by understanding whether low detection rate is a methodological artefact or reflects true rarity, we provide the first estimates of margay longevity in the wild, ranging behavior and territoriality
Summary
Camera traps are the standard tool for assessing population status of many terrestrial mammals, describing species distributions, and confirming the presence of some of the rarest terrestrial species (e.g. [1, 2]). Camera traps are the standard tool for assessing population status of many terrestrial mammals, describing species distributions, and confirming the presence of some of the rarest terrestrial species Camera traps log detections of all species that trigger the sensors, including rare detections of previously unknown species It has been assumed that species that overlap in their geographic ranges and are considered sympatric in some areas can be effectively detected under survey designs that do not necessarily take into consideration. Society (https://www.wcs.org/) in the form of funds awarded to BJH and RJH, Natural Environmental Research Council (UK) The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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