Spatial and temporal differentiation are not distinct but are covariant for facilitating coexistence of small and medium-sized carnivores in Southwestern China

Abstract

Sympatric small- and medium-sized carnivores will thrive in forest ecosystems in the absence of large top predators. Spatial and temporal niche differentiation are commonly regarded as important mechanisms of coexistence for such carnivores, but how these interactions function and covariation still remains unexplored. We investigated the patterns of coexistence of six sympatric small- and medium-sized carnivores ( Mustela kathiah, Melogale moschata, Meles leucurus, Arctonyx collaris, Paguma larvata and Prionailurus bengalensis ) in Mayanghe Nature Reserve, Guizhou province, China, by employing camera traps. We used the occupancy models and kernel density estimation to quantify spatial and temporal differentiation respectively, and analyzed the covariation between the resulting indices. We concluded that first spatial and temporal differentiation contributed to coexistence together, but no one of two was significantly dominant. Second, taxonomic relationships did not facilitate differentiation in closely related carnivorous species, but most small- and medium-sized carnivores avoided Prionailurus bengalensis in spatial occupancy. Finally, when the spatial differentiation occurred to a greater extent, the temporal aspects were lessened and vice versa. Our results revealed the patterns and relationship of the spatial and temporal differentiation concerning several sympatric small- and medium-sized carnivores, which can deepen our understanding of niche differentiation and coexistence of sympatric species.