Abstract
The small mammalian carnivores are important for maintaining healthy ecosystems. The present documentation is based on the camera trap survey in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu. Paired camera-traps were set in a grid of 1.413 × 1.413 km area of 180km² within an altitudinal range of 80–1,866 m. A total of 11 species were recorded in different habitat types. Brown Palm Civet Paradoxurus jerdoni and Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis had the highest capture rates and the lowest was Rusty Spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus.
Highlights
Small carnivores are difficult to study due to their elusive, small, arboreal, and crepuscular or nocturnal habits (Mudappa 2001)
The present study reports small carnivores in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) based on camera trap surveys and opportunistic sight records
Additional information was compiled from sign surveys, interviews with locals and frontline staff, and based on opportunistic drives during day and night using a four-wheeler at a speed of 15 km/h to look for small carnivores
Summary
Small carnivores are difficult to study due to their elusive, small, (semi-) arboreal, and crepuscular or nocturnal habits (Mudappa 2001). Cameratrapping surveys in other protected areas provided important data on some species of small carnivores (Datta et al 2008; Nixon et al 2010; Gupta 2011; Prakash et al 2012). The Western Ghats mountain range in India is a global biodiversity hotspot with a high diversity of plant and animal taxa (Myers et al 2000), including small carnivores. The Western Ghats offer a wide range of habitats from lowland scrub forests to rainforests at high elevations, supporting many species of small carnivores. Mudappa (2001) and Mudappa et al (2007) reported the small carnivore composition in part of the Agasthyamalai landscape of Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) using opportunistic sight records, sign surveys, live trapping, and radio-telemetry. The present study reports small carnivores in KMTR based on camera trap surveys and opportunistic sight records
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
