Factors determining "gaps" in the distribution of a small carnivore, the common genet (<i>Genetta genetta</i>), in central Spain

Abstract

We studied the pattern of distribution of the common genet (Genetta genetta) in areas in mountains and plains of central Spain, in the middle of the range of the species. We evaluated the role of temperature, rainfall, and habitat features in determining the ecological limits of genet distribution. Genets were very scarce on plateaux and the upper parts of the mountains, but were widely distributed in lower mountain areas. Genets were present in areas with abundant shrub cover, high mean of the mean minimum temperature and high mean of mean winter temperatures. Survey routes at the same altitude (<1000 m) in the mountains (genets abundant) and on the plateaux (genets very scarce) also differed in some of these variables, with low values on the plateaux for shrub cover, mean of the mean minimum temperatures, mean of the mean winter temperatures, and annual rainfall. Genets originated in Africa, therefore they are probably ill-adapted (morphologically and physiologically) for the cold conditions predominating in most of central Spain. Their preference for shrubby habitats may be linked to a greater availability of food and low risk of predation. Intermediate levels of rainfall may be correlated with higher temperatures, the key factor hypothesized to affect the distribution of this species. The distribution of the common genet fits a multimodal model, with peaks (presence) and valleys (absence) in the middle of its range, indicating that location in a particular part of the range is not a prior indicator of habitat suitability for the species.Résumé : Nous avons étudié la répartition des genets (Genetta genetta) dans les montagnes et les plaines du centre de l'Espagne, au milieu de l'aire de répartition de l'espèce. Nous avons évalué l'influence de la température, des précipitations et des caractéristiques de l'habitat sur l'établissement des limites écologiques de la répartition de l'espèce. Les genets sont très rares sur les plateaux et au haut des montagnes, mais ils sont bien répandus dans la partie basse des montagnes. Ils fréquentent les zones buissonneuses où la moyenne des températures minimales moyennes et la température moyenne en hiver sont élevées. Les routes empruntées pour faire l'inventaire à la même altitude (<1000 m) dans les montagnes (genets abondants) et sur les plateaux (gents très rares) diffèrent par certaines de ces variables : la couverture buissonneuses est peu abondante sur les plateaux, de plus, la moyenne des températures minimales moyennes, la moyenne des températures moyennes en hiver et les précipitations annuelles sont faibles. Les genets sont d'origine africaine et ils sont probablement mal adaptés (morphologiquement et physiologiquement) aux conditions froides qui prévalent dans la plus grande partie du centre de l'Espagne. La préférence pour les zones buissonneuses est sans doute reliée à une abondance plus grande de nourriture et une prédation moins intense. L'association à des quantités intermédiaires de précipitations peut être reliée à des températures plus chaudes qui semble...

The influence of human, livestock, and ecological features on the occurrence of genet (Genetta genetta): a case study on Mediterranean farmland

“…Among these features, high cover and the complexity of the vegetation strata, and organiccontent rich soils seem to be particularly important in determining the occurrence of the species. This result clearly supports the known tendency of genets to occupy areas with dense shrub cover, areas which have greater availability of food, greater abundance of its main prey, the wood mouse, and a lower risk of predation by and competition with other predators (Cugnasse and Riols 1984;Delibes 1988, 1994;Virgo´s and Casanovas 1997;Virgo´s et al 2001). Recent work in southwestern Portugal in cork oak woodland also highlights the importance of high understory cover and old trees for the placement of latrines (Espı´rito-Santo et al 2007).…”

“…The genet has large flexibility in its choice of habitat (Cugnasse and Riols 1984;Calzada 2002), and studies carried out so far have demonstrated an association with high temperature and low rainfall and with woodland and shrubland areas (Palomares and Delibes 1994;Virgo´s and Casanovas 1997;Virgo´s et al 2001;Espı´rito-Santo et al 2007). This species has generalist and opportunistic feeding habits, but in Europe it feeds mainly on small mammals, especially the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), and on arthropods (Virgo´s et al 1999;Rosalino and Santos-Reis 2002).…”

“…Ruiz-Olmo and Lo´pez-Martinez 1993;Virgo´s et al 1996Virgo´s et al , 1999G í l-Sanchez 1998;Rosalino and Santos-Reis 2002). Spatio-temporal ecology also has been studied Delibes 1988, 1994;Palomares 1990Palomares , 1993Zuberogoitia et al 2002;Munuera and Llobet 2004), as well as the environmental factors that affect species distribution (Virgo´s and Casanovas 1997;Virgo´s et al 2001;Gaubert et al 2008), and latrine use and placement (Gomes and Giraudoux 1992;Costa and Santos-Reis 2002;Espı´rito-Santo et al 2007).…”

Coexistence of predators in time: Effects of season and prey availability on species activity within a Mediterranean carnivore guild

“…Several niche axes that could play a role in carnivore coexistence have been analyzed in a variety of ecosystems. Among them, land cover selection and diet preferences are some of the most studied factors (Barrientos & Virgós, 2006;Carvalho & Gomes, 2004; Curveira-Santos, Pedroso, Barros, & Santos-Reis, 2019; Kelly & Holub, 2008;Linkie, Dinata, Nugroho, & Haidir, 2007;Rosalino, Macdonald, & Santos-Reis, 2004;Ruiz-Olmo & López-Martín, 2001;Torre, Arrizabalaga, & Ribas, 2009;Virgós, Romero, & Mangas, 2001).…”