Indirect methods of identifying mammals: a case study from Shivapuri National Park, Nepal

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to explore diversity of mammalian species in Shivapuri national Park (ShNP) through indirect method. Specific objectives were (i) to identify and describe characteristic features of different signs as key to species identification, and (ii) to determine occurrence and abundance of mammalian species based on the signs. Survey was conducted by walking through fixed 11 transect lines of total 229 km long, collecting and recording of footprints, feces, scrapes, scratches, shelters of burrows, calls and quills of mammals. Altogether 344 indirect signs were collected and observed through fixed transect lines and 25 signs through random searching of mammals from Kakani, Panimuhan, Shivapuri Peak, Baghdwar, Sundarijal, Chisapani and Manichur in ShNP. Basic characteristics of identified signs of different mamals as key to their identification have been described. The occurrence of species was confirmed through indirect signs and abundance was estimated on the basis of encounter rate (number/km/day) and relative frequency percentage of the signs. Among 20 species, 18 species belonging to six orderas and 14 families were recorded confirming by different indirect validation techniques. The study also identified large civet, a new record for ShNP. The highest percentage relative frequency (35%) and encounter rate (0.53/km) of signs of wild boar and house rat implied these species were the most abundant mammals in the park. This was followed by barking dear (17% and 0.26), common leopard (17% and 0.25), jungle cat (9.6% and 0.14), Himalayan squirrel and rhesus monkey, which were intermediate in abundance. Himalayan goral (6.7% and 0.10), Indian hare (4.3% and 0.06), yellow throated marten (4% and 0.06), golden jackal (3.5% and 0.05), large civit (2.6% and 0.04), black bear (0.3% and 0.004), Chinese pangolin, hanumal langur, royel's pika, porcupine and small mongoose were the least abundant species.

Key words: Mammals; Identification; Footprints; scrapes; Feces; Shelters

doi: 10.3126/eco.v12i0.3196

Ecoprint: An International Journal of Ecology 12: 43-58, 2005