Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) and mesocarnivores in a Mongolian protected area

IF 0.8 4区生物学 Q3 ZOOLOGY

Mammalia Pub Date : 2024-07-17 DOI:10.1515/mammalia-2024-0054

Delgerchimeg Davaasuren, Maria Vittoria Mazzamuto, Claudia Tranquillo, Undrakhbayar Enkhbat, Bayaraa Munkhtsog, Ulam-Urnukh Bayanmunkh, Altanbagana Yunden, Jeff Dolphin, Sukhchuluun Gansukh, John Koprowski

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Prey-predator interactions across time and space strongly influence many animal communities. This study unveils the first insights into the ecology of the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in Mongolia, and specifically in Bogd Khan Mountain Strictly Protected Area. We used by-catch data obtained from camera traps to analyze activity patterns and potential interactions with mammalian predators. Red squirrels exhibited primarily diurnal activity with occasional nocturnal forays, while potential predators like foxes (Vulpes vulpes, Vulpes corsac) and martens (Martes foina, Martes zibellina) displayed cathemeral and nocturnal patterns, respectively. The diurnal Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul) showed the greatest activity overlap with squirrels. Suggesting predator avoidance behavior potentially mediated by olfactory cues, squirrel activity was negatively impacted by marten presence, which was in turn potentially affected by human disturbance. We highlight the need for further investigations, particularly regarding the dietary composition of Pallas’s cats in forested habitats and the broader ecological implications of human disturbance on predator–prey dynamics within this crucial conservation area.

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蒙古保护区内的欧亚红松鼠和中食肉动物

猎物与捕食者在时间和空间上的相互作用强烈影响着许多动物群落。本研究首次揭示了欧亚红松鼠（Sciurus vulgaris）在蒙古，特别是在博格达汗山严格保护区的生态环境。我们利用相机陷阱获得的副渔获物数据分析了红松鼠的活动模式以及与哺乳动物捕食者的潜在互动。红松鼠的活动主要集中在昼间，偶尔也会在夜间出没，而狐狸（Vulpes vulpes、Vulpes corsac）和貂（Martes foina、Martes zibellina）等潜在捕食者则分别表现出昼伏夜出的活动模式。昼伏夜出的帕拉斯猫（Otocolobus manul）与松鼠的活动重叠最多。松鼠的活动受到貂的负面影响，而貂的存在又可能受到人类干扰的影响，这表明捕食者的回避行为可能是由嗅觉线索介导的。我们强调了进一步调查的必要性，尤其是关于帕拉斯猫在森林栖息地的食物组成，以及人类干扰对这一重要保护区内捕食者-猎物动态的广泛生态影响。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Mammalia 生物-动物学

CiteScore

2.20

自引率

10.00%

发文量

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Mammalia is an international, multidisciplinary, bimonthly journal devoted to the inventory, analysis and interpretation of mammalian diversity. It publishes original results on all aspects of the systematics and biology of mammals with a strong focus on ecology, including biodiversity analyses, distribution habitats, diet, predator-prey relationships, competition, community analyses and conservation of mammals. The journal also accepts submissions on sub-fossil or recently extinct mammals.