Population density of sitatunga in riverine wetland habitats

Abstract

Estimates of population density of mammals are critical data for effective management. Estimating density is complicated if the species of interest has cryptic markings and occupies dense habitat. Sitatunga is such a species, specially adapted to the dense swamps and marshes of sub-Saharan Africa, where traditional population survey techniques have been ineffective. In this study, we used camera traps to estimate density of sitatunga in central Uganda using both spatial capture-recapture methods and time in front of the camera (TIFC). We collected data in three years, 2015–2017. The TIFC model resulted in density estimates similar to the spatial capture-recapture models, without needing information on movement or individual identification. However, spatial capture-recapture models provide an estimate of movement and home range, which is of interest to management. For sitatunga, spatial capture-recapture models revealed higher movement parameters and higher heterogeneity in movement than previously reported. These results illustrate the utility of camera traps for a cryptic species in dense habitats, and provide a potential alternative to spatial capture-recapture methods.