Habitat selection and abundance of common genets Genetta genetta using camera capture-mark-recapture data

Abstract

Using camera-trapping techniques, the present study, conducted from 2005 to 2007, provides common genet abundance estimates in Serra da Malcata Nature Reserve (central-eastern Portugal). We estimated genet abundance using the software CAPTURE. It was possible to obtain a capture success of 1.49 captures/100 trap-nights. Considering the heterogeneity model (M h ), which presents higher biological significance, the estimated density varied between 0.50 (95% CI = 0.43-0.56 genets/km 2 ) to 0.92 (95% CI = 0.87-0.97 genets/km 2 ) genets/km 2 with an average density value of 0.70 genets/km 2 (95% CI = 0.58-0.82 genets/km 2 ). These estimates emphasized this technique as a reliable method for assessing average genet density over large spatial scales and for monitoring future changes in genet numbers. In terms of habitat selection, genets selected Quercus rotundifolia and Arbutus unedo woodlands and avoided Erica spp. and Cistus ladanifer scrubland and Eucalyptus stands. Considering the landscape heterogeneity outside the reserve, our study emphasizes the importance of the protected area for small carnivore conservation.

Evaluating the potential biases in carnivore capture–recapture studies associated with the use of lure and varying density estimation techniques using photographic‐sampling data of the Malagasy civet

“…Additionally, a recent simulation study has also provided support for the ML-SECR model under a variety of scenarios, except when animal home range configurations are dramatically asymmetric (Ivan 2011). Despite the availability of these newer models, it is still common for studies to use traditional ad hoc density estimation techniques ðD ¼N s =ETAÞ; Sarmento et al 2009;Gopal et al 2010;Kolowski and Alonso 2010;Negrões et al 2010;Sarmento et al 2010). …”

Modeling the occupancy of sympatric carnivorans in a Mediterranean ecosystem

“…This process can create a significant effect on carnivore species, which constitute a conservation concern in the Nature Reserve context (Sarmento et al 2009b). Reliable data on these species occupancy could be an adequate indicator of ecosystem fitness and vegetation evolution.…”

“…Among current monitoring methods, camera trapping has proven to be successful in determining absolute abundances of carnivore species in relatively small areas (Sarmento et al 2009a). The camera-trapping technique has been developed within a robust capture recapture statistical framework and is applicable where individual conspecifics can be identified (Sarmento et al 2009b). However, for some Iberian carnivorans, positive individual identification is not possible (e.g., mongooses Herpestes ichneumon; stone martens Martes foina).…”

Distribución de la gineta (Geneta geneta Linnaeus, 1758) en el Parque Natural de la Sierra de Mariola (C. Valenciana)

“…La calidad y grado de fragmentación de los hábitats son también factores importantes ligados a la presencia de la especie (VIRGÓS et al, 2002), pudiendo incluso llegar a condicionar la forma y el tamaño de sus áreas de campeo (PALOMARES y DELIBES, 1994;CAMPS y LLIMONA, 2004). Es muy frecuente y puede ser abundante en encinares, dehesas de encina, roble y alcornoque, olivares, pinares, fresnedas, plantaciones de eucaliptos, matorrales mediterráneos, áreas con rocas y, en general, en cualquier tipo de hábitat que le proporcione suficiente cobertura vegetal o rocosa (PALOMARES y DELIBES, 1991;LARI-VIÈRE y CALZADA, 2001;CALZADA, 2007;SARMENTO et al, 2010). Muestra también una clara predilección por los há-bitats de ribera y alrededores de los arroyos (PALOMARES y DELIBES, 1994;VIRGÓS et al, 2001), aunque no está ligada a la presencia de agua y puede vivir en zonas muy 247 ÍNDICE secas (DELIBES, 1999).…”

“…ÍNDICE Existen pocos datos en la bibliografía sobre densidades absolutas de la especie. Los valores más bajos se han registrado en Doñana, con 0,33 individuos/km 2 cuando se trata de adultos, y de 0,67 individuos/km 2 incluyendo a los juveniles (PALOMARES y DELIBES, 1994 (SARMENTO et al, 2010(SARMENTO et al, y 2014. En nuestro caso de estudió, no se pudieron identificar individuos y por tanto, no se ha podido obtener una estima de la densidad poblacional.…”