Camera trap based niche partitioning model of medium size ungulates and its implications on tigers prey availability in SE Asian rainforest

Abstract

The presence and survival of the Sumatran tiger were determined by the presence, density, and activity of its prey. Several medium size mammal belongs to the ungulate were known as the potential prey for the tiger. While, the information on the temporal availability of this prey in the rainforest is still limited. In here this study aimed to aims to model the niche partitioning of several mammalian species that was potential prey for tiger. The studied species were including barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), bearded pig (Sus barbatus), and wild boar (Sus scrofa). The method was using camera trap with data analyses including the calculation of Kernel density, diel activity, and niche partitioning determined using overlap index. . Based on the results, barking deer and wild boar showed only singular activity peak while bearded pig has several activity peaks. Only wild boar showed a strict diurnal activity pattern between 06:00 h and 12:00 h. Barking deer showed a crepuscular behavior with several activities observed at 18:00 h. While bearded pig showed a nocturnal behavior and showed at least two peaks of activity, one between 09:00 to 13:00 and another between 18:00 to 24:00 h. Barking deer and bearded pig uses almost similar niches since those species have the highest overlap indices value equals 0.504(95%CI:0.193-0.824). The lowest overlap indices value was observed for barking deer and wild boar with overlap indice values of 0.032(95%CI:0.0-0.162). Considering the diurnal activity pattern of the tiger that is mostly active at day, then the available preys were either barking deer or bearded pigs. While since barking deer and bearded pigs were using the same niche, then there will be potential competition.