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<p>In-human dominated landscapes, large carnivores are increasingly subjected to intense anthropogenic pressures, which can influence their space use, activity patterns, interspecific interactions, and ultimately long-term persistence. Understanding these responses is essential for developing effective conservation and management strategies. In this study, we assessed the Relative Abundance Indices (RAI), spatio-temporal niche use, and interactions of two widely distributed large carnivores, the leopard and striped hyena, in a protected area experiencing considerable anthropogenic disturbance. Camera trapping was conducted across the protected area, and generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to evaluate the habitat and anthropogenic factors influencing the spatial capture rates of both species. We further implemented Pianka’s niche overlap indices, and temporal activity overlaps, to investigate the patterns of spatio-temporal niche use between the two carnivores across varying gradients of anthropogenic disturbance. At total 72 camera trap stations operated over 1,158 trap nights yielded 83 independent detections of four large carnivore species. Leopards and striped hyenas were the most frequently recorded carnivores. Anthropogenic pressure was pervasive across the study area, with approximately 82% of camera trap stations recording human and associated livestock activity, primarily during diurnal hours. The GLM models showed significant spatial associations of striped hyena detections with humans and livestock capture rates; although, temporal segregation between them was evident. In contrast, leopard detections were positively associated with wild prey occurrence. Leopard and striped hyena exhibited a moderate to high probability of spatial overlap. Temporal niche overlap between the two carnivores was higher in highly disturbed areas than in less disturbed areas, primarily due to increased nocturnality of leopards under increased anthropogenic pressure. However, temporal overlap between the leopards and the wild ungulates (wild boar and chital) did not differ significantly with anthropogenic disturbance. Our findings suggest that anthropogenic disturbance can shape carnivore space use and activity patterns, increasing spatio-temporal niche overlap and the potential for interspecific competition. If sustained over time, such behavioural adjustments may have ecological and conservation consequences for large carnivore persistence in human-dominated landscapes.</p>

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Spatio-temporal niche partitioning and interactions between leopards and striped hyenas under anthropogenic disturbance in the Indian Terai Arc Landscape

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月27日

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  • Mohit Kumar Patra,
  • Dhruv Jain,
  • Ayan Sadhu,
  • Qamar Qureshi,
  • Yadvendradev V. Jhala

摘要

In-human dominated landscapes, large carnivores are increasingly subjected to intense anthropogenic pressures, which can influence their space use, activity patterns, interspecific interactions, and ultimately long-term persistence. Understanding these responses is essential for developing effective conservation and management strategies. In this study, we assessed the Relative Abundance Indices (RAI), spatio-temporal niche use, and interactions of two widely distributed large carnivores, the leopard and striped hyena, in a protected area experiencing considerable anthropogenic disturbance. Camera trapping was conducted across the protected area, and generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to evaluate the habitat and anthropogenic factors influencing the spatial capture rates of both species. We further implemented Pianka’s niche overlap indices, and temporal activity overlaps, to investigate the patterns of spatio-temporal niche use between the two carnivores across varying gradients of anthropogenic disturbance. At total 72 camera trap stations operated over 1,158 trap nights yielded 83 independent detections of four large carnivore species. Leopards and striped hyenas were the most frequently recorded carnivores. Anthropogenic pressure was pervasive across the study area, with approximately 82% of camera trap stations recording human and associated livestock activity, primarily during diurnal hours. The GLM models showed significant spatial associations of striped hyena detections with humans and livestock capture rates; although, temporal segregation between them was evident. In contrast, leopard detections were positively associated with wild prey occurrence. Leopard and striped hyena exhibited a moderate to high probability of spatial overlap. Temporal niche overlap between the two carnivores was higher in highly disturbed areas than in less disturbed areas, primarily due to increased nocturnality of leopards under increased anthropogenic pressure. However, temporal overlap between the leopards and the wild ungulates (wild boar and chital) did not differ significantly with anthropogenic disturbance. Our findings suggest that anthropogenic disturbance can shape carnivore space use and activity patterns, increasing spatio-temporal niche overlap and the potential for interspecific competition. If sustained over time, such behavioural adjustments may have ecological and conservation consequences for large carnivore persistence in human-dominated landscapes.