Cuon Research Articles

Estimating Mammalian Diversity and Relative Abundance Using Camera Traps in a Tropical Deciduous Forest of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Eastern India

Information on the status and distribution of species within a geographical region is vital for designing effective conservation plans. We assessed the diversity and abundance of medium to large sized mammals in Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, eastern India by using remotely triggered camera traps from January 2013 to August 2013. A total 916 camera trap days at 65 trap stations were deployed. We recorded 912 independent photographs and identified 20 species of mammals. Based on photographic rate of each mammalian species, the small Indian civet Viverricula indica represented high relative abundance (RAI = 2.07) among the carnivore while the Asian elephant Elephas maximus among the herbivores (RAI = 9.72) and the sloth bear Melursus ursinus among the omnivores (RAI = 2.51). Large carnivores like the leopard Panthera pardus (RAI = 0.55) and the Asiatic wild dog Cuon alpinus (RAI = 0.11) were represented by a relatively low abundance. Frequency of various anthropogenic activities from movement of livestock, feral dogs and human traffic accounted for maximum photo capture (combined RAI = 30.7) and found to be negatively correlated with mammalian relative abundance. So an effective intervention incorporating the social and ecological components is desirable for wildlife conservation in Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary.

Recent records of dhole (Cuon alpinus, Pallas 1811) in Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya, India

Abstract Camera trap photographs of solitary individuals of Asiatic wild dog or dholes (Cuon alpinus, Pallas 1811) have been recorded from Kheda Tal area in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. This is the first photographic confirmation of the presence of this species in the Himalayan habitats of Uttarakhand. The presence of dholes here seems to be confined to a relatively small area of unprotected habitats affected by various anthropogenic uses. The population of endangered dhole is rapidly declining especially in Himalayan region. Thus, it is imperative that local stakeholders are aware of their presence, and it is highly recommended that investigations of the ecological parameters of this population are continued.

Wolves at the crossroad: Fission–fusion range biogeography in the Western Carpathians and Central Europe

AbstractAimPopulation fragmentation represents a leitmotif of conservation biology, but the impact of population reconnection is less well studied. The recent recolonization of large carnivores in Europe is a good model for studying this phenomenon. We aim to show novel data regarding distribution and population genetic structure of the grey wolf in Central Europe, a region considered a frequent crossroad and contact zone of different phylogeographic lineages, in a biogeographic context.LocationWestern Carpathians, Central Europe.MethodsIn concordance with the presumption of a highly mobile mammal, individual‐based Bayesian clustering and a posteriori definition of populations were used. Integrating the frameworks of landscape genetics and biogeography enabled the identification of transitions in population architecture. These patterns could be ascribed to isolating factors based on historical knowledge about species demography.ResultsGenetic differentiation mirrors population isolation and recognized environmental clusters, suggesting ecotypic variation. The east–west split in the Western Carpathians likely represents the signature of range fragmentation during bottlenecks in the 20th century. Mitochondrial variability is more depleted than nuclear variability, indicating founder‐flush demography. Microsatellites show finer‐scale differentiation in the Carpathians compared to the European plain, corresponding to topographic heterogeneity. Long‐range dispersal of a Carpathian wolf (ca. 300 km), the establishment of enclaves originated from the lowland population and admixture with mountain wolves were ascertained, indicating a population fraction producing large‐scale gene flow.Main conclusionCarpathian wolves are characterized by periods of population and range decline due to eradication, facilitating refugial role of alpine habitats and peripatric effects, followed by expansions and fusions probably caused by forest transition, population adaptation and efforts in conservation management. New occurrence and hybridization events predict further contacts between formerly isolated populations, with potential opposing effects of heterosis and outbreeding depression. Population recovery might be hindered due to isolation by environment and anthropogenic impacts.

Extinct or extant? A review of dhole (Cuon alpinus Pallas, 1811) distribution in the former USSR and modern Russia

Dholes (Cuon alpinus Pallas, 1811) are carnivorous mammals classified as endangered according to the IUCN Red List. The northern boundary of the dhole range lies in Russia, but its current status there and in post-Soviet states is classified as “regionally extinct.” Moreover, most publications on dhole distribution in the former Soviet Union are only available in Russian. In this review, I summarize Russian-language sources of dhole distribution in the former USSR and modern Russia. I have created a database of all evidence regarding the capture and killing of dholes, as well as information about encounters with individuals/packs or their traces. Based on these data, I estimated the probability of extinction for the Tian Shan and Ussuri subspecies of dholes (C. alpinus hesperius and C. alpinus alpinus, respectively) using an approach based on a Bayesian model, Optimal Linear Estimation, and Sighting Trend Index. My review verifies that dholes were already extremely rare animals in the USSR in the first half of the twentieth century. The most recent proved report of dhole presence in Russia dates back to 1978, while the most recent data, for which there is no documentary evidence, was collected in 2009. Within the borders of the former USSR, the Tian Shan subspecies of dholes is probably already extinct (the probability that the subspecies is extant is 0.02; the null hypothesis that extinction has not occurred can be rejected with p = 0.057). The Ussuri subspecies possibly still exists in the Eastern Sayan Mountains and in the mountains of the Transbaikalia (p = 0.182, the probability that the subspecies is extant is 0.50).

Did Panthera pardus (Linnaeus, 1758) become extinct in Sumatra because of competition for prey? Modeling interspecific competition within the Late Pleistocene carnivore guild of the Padang Highlands, Sumatra

On the Island of Sumatra, the leopard (Panthera pardus) became extinct during the Late Pleistocene. Several theories exist about the reasons why leopards could not subsist in Sumatra, while today, national parks still bear tigers (Panthera tigris) and Asiatic wild dogs (Cuon alpinus). One often debated theory is that the competition for prey was the reason for the extinction of leopards in Sumatra. The aim of our study is to model the impacts of competition for prey in the carnivore guild of the Padang Highlands in Sumatra to test if competition pressure was sufficient to force the leopard to extinction. In the first step, we reconstructed the carnivore guild of the Padang Highlands based on fossils collected by Dubois in the three cave sites of Sibrambang, Djamboe and Lida Ajer. In the second step, we developed and applied an agent-based model based on population density, prey spectrum and daily meat intake and simulated different scenarios of competition among the Sumatran predators. We simulated the reconstructed guild and further tested scenarios with the absence of guild members to see under which circumstances leopards could have survived in Sumatra. Simulation of the reconstructed carnivore guild revealed that, in fact, the leopard could have been driven to extinction by competition from other carnivores. Excluding one of the competing medium-sized cats or the Asiatic wild dog leads to the survival of the leopard in our simulations. Interestingly, our model demonstrates that humans and tigers were not the strongest competitors for leopards because their exclusion from the scenarios does not conclude with the survival of leopards in our simulations. According to our results, the presence of two medium-sized cats and the Asiatic wild dog, in combination with the small litter size of the leopard, were the main reasons why the leopard could not tolerate the competition for prey in the Padang Highlands in Sumatra and thus became extinct in Sumatra.

Cloning and comparative analysis of zinc-finger protein gene on Y-chromosome (ZFY) between Thai Bangkaew dog and other Thai canids

The Thai Bangkaew dog is a Spitz-type dog that originated in Thailand. Legend has it that the dog is descended from hybrids between a native female dog and a male wild canid. To examine the mysterious story about the ancestry of the Thai Bangkaew dog's paternal lineage, sequence variation was examined for the last intron of the Y-chromosome-specific zinc-finger gene, ZFY, and its X homolog for male Thai Bangkaew dogs and other male Thai canids, including the Thai ridgeback and mixed breed dogs, Asiatic jackals (Canis aureus) and a dhole (Cuon alpinus). A 1075-bp ZFY segment from DNA samples of Thai Bangkaew dogs was found to be 100% identical to the domestic dog ZFY and (if gaps are allowed) showed 81% and 92% identity to jackal ZFY and dhole ZFY, respectively. However, if gaps were treated as missing data, the 1045-bp ZFY sequence for the Thai Bangkaew dogs was 100% identical to domestic dog ZFY and 99.5% to jackal ZFY and dhole ZFY, respectively. In addition, the 959-bp Thai Bangkaew ZFX fragments were identical and showed 100% identity to domestic dog ZFX. These genetic data suggest that the Thai Bangkaew dogs still present today share a common male ancestor with modern dogs, rather than being the descendants of dhole or jackal/dog hybrids.

Environmental vocalization adaptation: Animals compensating for restricted visibility and mobility

To survive, animals must always be aware of their surroundings and they adopt different communication strategies to adapt to changing environmental conditions. This paper describes some vocalization adaptations. Horses in open pasture usually communicate visually but when placed in separate barn stalls, with restricted visibility and mobility, must rely more on their vocalizations, referred to as barntalk. In addition they rapidly learn to recognize sounds from unseen objects of interest such as a feed cart or their owner. In some cases animals utilize a new vocalization, Asiatic wild dogs (Dholes) have developed a short whistle to keep contact among their hunting pack when visibility is reduced by underbrush, while not interfering significantly with listening for their prey. Nowhere is there more vocalization adaptation than in a jungle, with limited visibility, difficult mobility, and the added complication of many other competing sounds. As a result Sumartran rhinos have developed a far more complex vocalization than their African relatives on the open plains. An interesting variety of jungle vocalization strategies have developed, from the Tapirs sweeping whistles to the toned howls of New Guinea singing dogs.

Free-ranging livestock influence species richness, occupancy, and daily behaviour of wild mammalian species in Baluran National Park, Indonesia

In some developing countries, human activities in protected areas threaten wildlife populations and their habitats. This study was conducted to understand the influences of free-range livestock on the wild mammalian population in Baluran National Park, Indonesia. There were 3852 and 1156 cows and goats, respectively, and livestock occupied an area of approximately 55.96km2. The species richness and probability of occupancy in areas with and without livestock were assessed, and the spatial co-occurrence and overlap of daily activity patterns among mammalian species and livestock were measured. A total of 39 camera traps were installed from August 2015 to January 2016, collecting 23,021 independent photographs. In areas with livestock, the number of mammal species (eight) was lower than in areas without livestock (11 species). The most affected species were the large herbivores Bubalus bubalis and Bos javanicus, and a large carnivore Panthera pardus, all of which were absent in areas with livestock. Regardless of the feeding guild, the probability of occupancy of almost all species declined in areas with livestock, except the medium herbivores Paradoxurus hermaphroditus and Hystrix javanica that showed a higher probability of occupancy. The species whose probability of occupancy declined were the carnivores Cuon alpinus and Prionailurus bengalensis; the herbivores Rusa timorensis, Tracypithecus auratus and Muntiacus muntjak; and the omnivore Sus scrofa. In the presence of livestock, R. timorensis and S. scrofa changed their activities from diurnal to nocturnal. Livestock affected most wild mammals in several ways, including by reducing the species richness, lessening the probability of occupancy and changing the daily activity patterns of many animals. This research recommends a significant reduction in the size of the range area for domestic livestock.

Homotherium from Middle Pleistocene archaeological and carnivore den sites of Germany – Taxonomy, taphonomy and a revision of the Schöningen, West Runton and other saber-tooth cat sites

Abstract Four new saber-tooth cat ( Homotherium ) sites in Germany with new dental and postcranial bone material are different in their taphonomic context: 1. The Archaeological Middle Palaeolithic (MIS 9e-Interglacial) Schoningen Lake site with remains of a cub carcass, 2. The Middle Palaeolithic (MIS 5e-9) Archaeological/cave bear den site of Balve Cave yielding a lower canine tooth of an older individual, 3. The Zoolithen Cave (MIS 3–9) cave bear/hyena den with one distal half humerus of an adult, 4. The Ketsch open air Rhine River terrace site which has provided another distal humerus of an adult saber-tooth cat. Whereas only the Schoningen site is precisely dated as Holsteinian Interglacial (approx. 330.000–315.000 BP), all other material seems to come from the same Middle Pleistocene warm period, or few younger Saalian interstadials (MIS 7a, e) deposits, and did not extend over the last MIS 7 glacial into the Late Pleistocene. Homotherium as hyena-like slow moving cat seems to have disappeared within the Saalian due to competition with other scavengers like Ice Age spotted and brown hyenas ( Crocuta crocuta praespelaea/ultima and Pachycrocuta brunnea mosbachensis ). The juvenile saber-tooth cat cub from Schoningen might be in archaeological context or represent only a carnivore kill. At the Zoolithen Cave, the single bone must have been imported into a hyena prey bone assemblage. The situation is possibly similar at the two other sites Ketsch and Balve Cave. The formerly described Schoningen “saber-tooth cat” humerus is revised, such as other opposite as lion humeri described material from different European sites. The presence of the well-developed supracondylar ridge distinguishes Homotherium well from Middle/Late Pleistocene lions Panthera leo (e.g. spelaea, fossilis ). The Schoningen lion humrus has been chew-cut first most probably by a stripped hyena whose cutting scissor teeth produced a diagonal bite cut and P 4 /M 1 impact marks around the trochlea. 1–2 mm small, mostly triangular-oval bite marks on the lion humerus shaft compacta results from a second scavenger and not from “Neanderthal tool use”. Those bite mark sizes are produced mainly of the upper molar teeth of a the red wolf Cuon alpinus subsp. (or small fox Vulpes praecorsac ), which were present in the region within the Holsteinian/Saalian.

Spatio-temporal interactions facilitate large carnivore sympatry across a resource gradient.

Species within a guild vary their use of time, space and resources, thereby enabling sympatry. As intra-guild competition intensifies, such behavioural adaptations may become prominent. We assessed mechanisms of facilitating sympatry among dhole (Cuon alpinus), leopard (Panthera pardus) and tiger (Panthera tigris) in tropical forests of India using camera-trap surveys. We examined population-level temporal, spatial and spatio-temporal segregation among them across four reserves representing a gradient of carnivore and prey densities. Temporal and spatial overlaps were higher at lower prey densities. Combined spatio-temporal overlap was minimal, possibly due to chance. We found fine-scale avoidance behaviours at one high-density reserve. Our results suggest that: (i) patterns of spatial, temporal and spatio-temporal segregation in sympatric carnivores do not necessarily mirror each other; (ii) carnivores are likely to adopt temporal, spatial, and spatio-temporal segregation as alternative mechanisms to facilitate sympatry; and (iii) carnivores show adaptability across a gradient of resource availability, a driver of inter-species competition. We discuss behavioural mechanisms that permit carnivores to co-occupy rather than dominate functional niches, and adaptations to varying intensities of competition that are likely to shape structure and dynamics of carnivore guilds.

First structured camera-trap surveys in Karen State, Myanmar, reveal high diversity of globally threatened mammals

AbstractThe hill forests of Karen State, Myanmar, were previously inaccessible to biologists and conservationists for security and political reasons. We have, however, now been able to conduct six surveys across the area, using camera traps, for a total of 9,511 trap-nights, to ascertain the presence of threatened mammal species. We obtained 4,191 records of at least 31 mammal species, including 17 categorized as Near Threatened, Vulnerable or Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Carnivores were especially diverse, with 19 species recorded, indicating a globally significant community, including the tiger Panthera tigris, leopard Panthera pardus and dhole Cuon alpinus. Our methodology was not appropriate for estimating relative abundance or occupancy but the species richness of the mammal community, the number of records and the number of locations where species were detected suggest the area is important for the conservation of a globally threatened mammal community that is in decline across the majority of its range. Despite long-standing conservation efforts undertaken by the Karen people, their forests are threatened by hunting and habitat loss. These threats are likely to be exacerbated as political change brings rapid development. Urgent action is thus needed to assist the Karen people to protect one of South-east Asia's last intact rich and diverse ecosystems.

TOXIC EFFECTS OF CU(SO4) ON GILL AND LIVER TISSUES OF FRESH WATER CATFISH CLARIAS BATRACHUS (LINN.).

20Jan 2017 TOXIC EFFECTS OF CU(SO4) ON GILL AND LIVER TISSUES OF FRESH WATER CATFISH CLARIAS BATRACHUS (LINN.). Muneesh kumar , Anchal Raj and Rajesh Kumar. Department of Zoology Govt. Degree College Doda, University of Jammu, J&K, India. Department of Zoology G. G. M. Science College, Jammu, University of Jammu, J&K, India. Department of Zoology Govt. Banazir Science and Commerce College, Barkatullah University, (M.P.), India

Non-invasive endocrine monitoring indicates seasonal variations in gonadal hormone metabolites in dholes (Cuon alpinus).

To date, there is no information on reproductive endocrinology of dholes (Cuon alpinus). The objectives of the present study were as follows: (i) to characterize longitudinal profiles of gonadal steroids; and (ii) to examine the relationship between gonadal hormones and sexual behaviours in dholes. Three breeding pairs and two bachelor males were included in the study. Among these, four animals (2 males and 2 females; 4 years old) were imported from The Netherlands to Thailand 3 months before the study onset; the remaining individuals (3 males and 1 female; 5-7 years old) were native born. Faecal samples were collected 3-7 days/week for 12 months, extracted and assessed for gonadal hormone metabolites using a validated enzyme immunoassay. Observations of behaviour were conducted in 30min sessions, 3-5 days/week. For the three breeding males, testosterone was elevated (P<0.05) from October to January in the two imported males, whereas the concentration of steroid metabolites was high from April to June and from September to November in the native male. However, there was no clear seasonal pattern of reproductive hormone in the bachelor group. Oestrogen metabolite level of imported females was elevated for 9-12 days in January, followed by a rise in progestagen concentration. For native females, oestrogen metabolites were above the basal values in April and September, each of which was followed by a rise in progestagen concentration that remained elevated for 77 and 112 days, respectively. Sexual behaviours, including solicitation, mounting and copulations, were observed during the oestrogen peak in all females. Our findings indicate that reproductive seasonality of dholes may depend on the animals' origin and social group.

Brain size/body weight in the dingo (Canis dingo): comparisons with domestic and wild canids

Endocranial volume was measured in a large sample (n = 128) of free-ranging dingoes (Canis dingo) where body size was known. The brain/body size relationship in the dingoes was compared with populations of wild (Family Canidae) and domestic canids (Canis familiaris). Despite a great deal of variation among wild and domestic canids, the brain/body size of dingoes forms a tight cluster within the variation of domestic dogs. Like dogs, free-ranging dingoes have paedomorphic crania; however, dingoes have a larger brain and are more encephalised than most domestic breeds of dog. The dingo’s brain/body size relationship was similar to those of other mesopredators (medium-sized predators that typically prey on smaller animals), including the dhole (Cuon alpinus) and the coyote (Canis latrans). These findings have implications for the antiquity and classification of the dingo, as well as the impact of feralisation on brain size. At the same time, it highlights the difficulty in using brain/body size to distinguish wild and domestic canids.

Распространение, численность и некоторые особенности экологии крупных хищных млекопитающих в Казахстане: аналитический обзор

This article presents data on the distribution, abundance and lifestyle of large carnivorans living inthe territory of Kazakhstan, based on publications and collected new materials from the various regionsof the country.From large carnivores in the territory of the republic there are found representatives of the family ofCanidae (the wolf – Canis lupus), Ursidae (the brown bear – Ursus arctos, 2 subspecies), Mustelidae (thewolverine – Gulo gulo) and Felidae (the lynx – Lynx lynx, 3 subspecies, the caracal – Caracal caracal, thesnow leopard – Uncia uncia). Until the 1950s and 1970s there were also the red wolf (Cuon alpinus),tiger (Panthera tigris) and cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). According to the analytical review, it can be seenthat the range, as well as the abundance of most of these species of large carnivores, are greatly reduced.Nowadays, there are almost no full-scale researches on the distribution and abundance of most largecarnivoran species. Moreover, since the data available so far are mostly obsolete or fragmentary, it isnecessary and relevant to continue research on the biology and ecology of lar&nbsp;Key words: large carnivorans, distribution, habitats, abundance, lifestyle

Effects of temporary closure of a national park on leopard movement and behaviour in tropical Asia

Across Asia protected areas serve as refuges for carnivores inside human-dominated landscapes. However, the creation of hard edges around reserve boundaries where conflicts with humans arise and disturbance from human activities inside the reserves may affect carnivore behaviour and ecology. Thailand’s largest protected area, Kaeng Krachan National Park (2915km2) receives >100,000 visitors annually while maintaining an intact assemblage of prey species for large carnivores, making it a potentially important site for population recovery of leopards (Panthera pardus), tigers (Panthera tigris) and dholes (Cuon alpinus). We assessed the abundance of leopards and their prey base, and their response to changes in levels of human activity after an unexpected flooding event that resulted in the park being closed to visitors for >6months. Using camera-traps, we identified 6 individual leopards and used spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) methods, incorporating humans and prey as covariates, to test for factors affecting the detection probability of leopards before and after the park closure. Leopard density was unchanged between the two periods, however the movement and activity patterns were clearly different. In the absence of tourist activity, leopards tended to move more frequently, leopard detection rates increased by 70% and activity shifted towards being more diurnal. The consequences of these changes in behaviour may include improved health, reproduction and survival. A management strategy involving seasonal closure of parks may serve to alleviate pressure on leopards and other carnivores. We recommend using information on abundance of large carnivores and their prey species, and human disturbance as the key indicators for long-term monitoring and management of protected areas in Southeast Asia.

Food Habits of Dhole &lt;I&gt;Cuon alpinus&lt;/I&gt; in Tropical Forests of Southern India

The food habits of dhole were evaluated in the tropical forests of Silent Valley National Park (SVNP) from December 2011 to May 2012 by analysing their scats. Eleven prey species were identified. Sambar was found to be the principal prey species for dhole as inferred from the relative biomass consumption of prey remains in dhole scats. Regarding prey biomass contribution, sambar was highest (66.74%) while grey jungle fowl was the lowest (0.32%). The aim of this study was to assess the food habits of dhole co-existing with large predators, tiger and leopard in the tropical forests of SVNP.

A whistle in the woods: an ethogram and activity budget for the dhole in central India

The dhole ( Cuon alpinus ) is an endangered social canid that inhabits the forests of southern and southeastern Asia. A scarcity of field studies and inconsistent findings have led to a poor understanding of their ecology and conservation status. We compiled an ethogram of dhole behavior based on analysis of 395.35min of video recordings. We recorded 3,394 behavioral events in 1,654 video clips lasting 10s each. We classified behavioral events into 6 categories: Locomotion, Resting, Social Behavior, Feeding, Scent Marking, and Miscellaneous. Behavioral events associated with Locomotion were most frequent (40.95%), as was the proportion of time spent on such behaviors (41.89%). Dholes spent the least time exhibiting Miscellaneous and Scent Marking behaviors (1.45% and 2.64%, respectively), as well as the lowest frequency (0.74% and 4.01%, respectively). Although scent marking was relatively rare, we observed unique scent-marking behaviors in this study, including “hind bounce” and “hind scrub.” The time spent on different categories of behaviors differed significantly among males, females, and subadults. We also used camera traps and opportunistic observations to investigate the activity patterns of dholes in dry deciduous forest of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in central India, where they are sympatric with other large predators including tigers ( Panthera tigris ) and leopards ( P. pardus ). Our findings suggested that dholes were primarily crepuscular. Fundamental knowledge about behavioral ecology is crucial for the conservation of any species, and our findings provide a new foundation for future behavioral research on this endangered social canid.

Prey depletion as a threat to the world's large carnivores.

Large terrestrial carnivores are an ecologically important, charismatic and highly endangered group of species. Here, we assess the importance of prey depletion as a driver of large carnivore endangerment globally using lists of prey species for each large carnivore compiled from the literature. We consider spatial variation in prey endangerment, changes in endangerment over time and the causes of prey depletion, finding considerable evidence that loss of prey base is a major and wide-ranging threat among large carnivore species. In particular, the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi), tiger (Panthera tigris), dhole (Cuon alpinus) and Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) all have at least 40% of their prey classified as threatened on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and, along with the leopard (Panethra pardus), all of these species except the Ethiopian wolf have at least 50% of their prey classified as declining. Of the 494 prey species in our analysis, an average of just 6.9% of their ranges overlap protected areas. Together these results show the importance of a holistic approach to conservation that involves protecting both large carnivores directly and the prey upon which they depend.

Categorizing species by niche characteristics can clarify conservation planning in rapidly‐developing landscapes

AbstractIn biodiversity‐rich landscapes that are developing rapidly, it is generally impossible to delineate land use and prioritize conservation actions in relation to the full variability of species and their responses to anthropogenic activity. Consequently, conservation policy often focuses on protecting habitat used by a few flagship, indicator or umbrella species like tigers Panthera tigris and Asian elephants Elephas maximus, which potentially leaves out species that do not share these habitat preferences. We demonstrate an empirical approach that clustered 14 mammals into surrogate groups that reflect their unique conservation needs. We surveyed a 787 km2 multiple‐use area in the Shencottah Gap of the Western Ghats, India, using foot surveys and camera‐trap surveys. Using ecological niche factor analysis, we generated indices of species prevalence (marginality and tolerance) and habitat preferences (factor correlations to marginality axis). We then clustered species by both of the above index types to reveal four clusters based on prevalence and four clusters based on habitat preference. Most clusters contained at least one threatened species. Low‐prevalence lion‐tailed macaques Macaca silenus and tigers were strongly associated with closed forests and low human disturbance. But elephants, sloth bears Melursus ursinus and gaur Bos gaurus were more tolerant of anthropogenic impact, and sloth bears and gaur preferred open forests and grasslands. Dhole Cuon alpinus and sambar Rusa unicolor were associated with highly anthropogenic habitat (farmland, cash crop and forestry plantations) with high human use. Thus, reliance on flagship species for conservation planning can both underestimate and overestimate the ability of other species to persist in multiple‐use landscapes; protecting flagship species would only protect species with similar habitat preferences. For species that avoid human impacts more than the flagship species, core habitat must be protected from human disturbance. For more tolerant species, conservation in anthropogenic habitat may hinge on policies that bolster coexistence with humans.