Spatial ecology of a male and a female leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis heaneyi Groves 1997) in Aborlan, Palawan, Philippines
Issue Date
1-2018
Abstract
The spatial ecology of Palawan leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis heaneyi) was studied using live trapping, radio telemetry, and small mammal trapping from May 2013 to July 2014 in Aborlan, Palawan, Philippines. One adult female and 3 adult male P.b. heaneyi were captured. radio-collars were attached to one adult male and one adult female individual then released in their respective capture sites. radio telemetry was conducted for 32 days per season. Non-volant small mammals were captured using box traps and released to determine prey species availability. Results showed that the habitat types utilized by the 2 p.b. heaneyi include: forest (71.09%), mixed brushlands (25.78%), coconut plantations (2.60%), and built-up areas (0.52%). The mean 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) home range of the male (6.2917 km2) was larger than that of the female (3.9236 km2) An increase in mean home range size from dry season (3.5658 km2) to wet season (4.0611 km2) for both sexes could be related to the decrease in small mammal abundance during wet season. Small mammal species captured in the area included Rattus exulans, Rattus tanezumi, Sundas ciurus steerii, Maxomys panglima, and Tupaia palawanensis. When prey availability decreases, leopard cats may be driven to occupy larger ranges in search of food.
Source or Periodical Title
Sylvatrop: the technical journal of Philippine Ecosystems and Natural Resources
ISSN
0115-0022
Volume
28
Issue
1
Page
1-16
Document Type
Article
Frequency
semi-annually
Physical Description
illustrations ; tables; maps
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Fernandez, Desamarie Antonette P.; De Guia, Anna Pauline O.; Dimalibot, Judeline C.; and Bantayan, Nathaniel C., "Spatial ecology of a male and a female leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis heaneyi Groves 1997) in Aborlan, Palawan, Philippines" (2018). Journal Article. 5177.
https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/journal-articles/5177
En – AGROVOC descriptors
LEOPARDS; ANIMAL ECOLOGY; HABITATS; TRAPPING; CAPTURE OF ANIMALS; PHILIPPINES