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Survey of Carnivore Species in Selected Thailand Reserves and Evidence for Competitive Exclusion by Larger Carnivores

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Survey of Carnivore Species in Selected Thailand Reserves and Evidence for Competitive Exclusion by Larger Carnivores SURVEY OF CARNIVORE SPECIES IN SELECTED THAILAND RESERVES AND EVIDENCE FOR COMPETITIVE EXCLUSION BY LARGER CARNIVORES by Megan C. Baker A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of George Mason University in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Committee: Dr. William J. McShea, Committee Member Dr. Albert P. Torzilli, Graduate Program Director Dr. Robert B. Jonas, Department Chairperson Dr. Richard Diecchio, Interim Associate Dean, Student and Academic Affairs, College of Science Dr. Peggy Agouris, Interim Dean, College of Science Date: __..:::.D::..!e::..=c~em=b~er"-6~,~2"""0~1~3~- Fall Semester 2013 George Mason University Fairfax, VA Survey of Carnivore Species in Selected Thailand Reserves and Evidence for Competitive Exclusion by Larger Carnivores A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at George Mason University by Megan C. Baker Bachelor of Science Ball State University, 2006 Director: Larry Rockwood, Professor Department of Environmental Science and Policy Spring Semester 2014 George Mason University Fairfax, VA This work is licensed under a creative commons attribution-noderivs 3.0 unported license . ii DEDICATIO To my husband, James Whatton, who has loved me and supported me through thick and thin. To my parents, David and Nanette Baker, who have always answered their phones to ease my nerves and concerns. iii ACKOWLEDGEMETS I would like to acknowledge the generosity of the following: The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Conservation Committee http://www.pdza.org/conservation-research The grants awarded helped provide the supplies needed to complete this study. There are many individuals that I would like to acknowledge for their assistance and patience at various periods throughout this study including: Thanks to my family who has always supported me on my journey, Dr. JoGayle Howard who supported me and believed in my research, Dr. Tavis Forrester for always letting me ask questions and his help with analysis, Dr. Kate Jenks, Nattapol Sisuruk and Kittiwara Siripattaranukul for all their help in Thailand, Ken Lang and Jessica Kordell for their support throughout the SCBI portion of the study, Joe Taft, Jean Herrberg and Rebecca Rizzo for their support throughout the EFRC portion of the study and, Ginger Eye and Lindsay Shaefer for their assistance with videotaping at SCBI. iv TABLE OF COTETS Page List of Tables .................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures .................................................................................................................. viii List of Abbreviations and Symbols.................................................................................... ix Abstract ............................................................................................................................... x Background into interspecific interactions among carnivores in thailand .......................... 1 Chapter one: Evidence for interspecific intraguild interactions in captive populations of tigers, leopards and clouded leopards ................................................................................. 5 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 5 Methods ........................................................................................................................... 7 Study Animals ............................................................................................................. 7 Behavioral Observations ............................................................................................ 10 Data analysis .............................................................................................................. 11 Results ........................................................................................................................... 13 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 17 Future Studies ............................................................................................................ 20 Chapter 2: Survey for carnivore species in select Thailand reserves and evidence for intraguild interactions ....................................................................................................... 22 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 22 Study Area ................................................................................................................. 25 Methods ......................................................................................................................... 28 Camera Trap Data Collection .................................................................................... 28 Camera Trap Data Organization ................................................................................ 29 Species selected for analysis...................................................................................... 31 Single season, two species co-occurrence models ..................................................... 31 Temporal analysis ...................................................................................................... 32 Results ........................................................................................................................... 33 v Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 42 Appendix ........................................................................................................................... 49 Literature Cited ................................................................................................................. 58 vi LIST OF TABLES Table Page Table 1. Data on individuals observed in a captive behavioral study. Missing data on leopard ages is due to lack of information on the individual at rescue. All individuals were of reproductive age at the time of the study. Tigers and leopards were observed at Exotic Feline Rescue Center and clouded leopards observed at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.................................................................................................................. 9 Table 2. A list of the behaviors observed and the total frequency (per 15 minute observation session) at which they occured (derived from raw count data). For analysis purposes, the behaviors were placed into three categories: neutral (state behaviors), investigative (event behaviors) and avoidance (state behavior) behaviors. ...................... 12 Table 3. The mean ± standard error of behavioral responses (count/15 minutes) of each species observed to the four fecal sample treatments (clouded leopard, leopard, tiger and control). The F statistic represents the differences among the three species observed for each treatment applied. Asterisks (*) denotes significant differences (p < 0.05). ............ 13 Table 4. Descriptions of the covariates used to model carnivore species interactions within Thailand protected areas. Their use within the model as a detection or occupancy covariate is listed............................................................................................................... 30 Table 5. Species dyads used to investigate interactions in carnivores species including the data used to model the species and the variables used in the top model for detection and occupancy. ........................................................................................................................ 35 Table 6. Variables used to model Tiger/Leopard and Dhole/Golden Jackal interactions. Occupancy parameter estimates Phi, Psi A and Psi B ± SE are listed with the three different variables used within the model. ........................................................................ 37 Table 7. The relative abundances (per 100 camera nights) of tigers, leopards, large and medium prey species found in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. ............................ 38 Table 8. The number of detections (proportion of time) during day, night and crepuscular hours and the chi square test results for each dyad modeled. For dyads with too few detections, the chi square value could not be detected. .................................................... 39 Table 9. Varible used to model Large Indian Civet/Common Palm Civet, Leopard Cat/Common Palm Civet, Leopard Cat/Large Indian Civet, Leopard/Leopard Cat and Small Indian Civet/Small Asian Mongoose interactions. Occupancy parameter estimates Phi, Psi A and Psi B are listed with the three different variables used. ............................ 42 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page Figure 1. Each species observed was presented with four treatments and the mean behavioral response (per 15 mins) of neutral behaviors for each treatment is depicted above with standard error. ................................................................................................. 14 Figure 2. Each species observed was presented with four treatments and the mean behavioral response (per 15 minutes) of investigative behaviors for each treatment is depicted above with standard error. .................................................................................
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