A Communal Sign Post of Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia) and Other Species on the Tibetan Plateau, China
Joint Authors
Cai, Ping
Wang, Dajun
McCarthy, Thomas M.
Li, Juan
Schaller, George B.
Basang, Lamao
Jiagong, Zhala
Lu, Zhi
Source
International Journal of Biodiversity
Issue
Vol. 2013, Issue 2013 (31 Dec. 2013), pp.1-8, 8 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2012-12-06
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Natural & Life Sciences (Multidisciplinary)
Biology
Abstract EN
The snow leopard is a keystone species in mountain ecosystems of Central Asia and the Tibetan Plateau.
However, little is known about the interactions between snow leopards and sympatric carnivores.
Using infrared cameras, we found a rocky junction of two valleys in Sanjiangyuan area on the Tibetan Plateau where many mammals in this area passed and frequently marked and sniffed the site at the junction.
We suggest that this site serves as a sign post to many species in this area, especially snow leopards and other carnivores.
The marked signs may also alert the animals passing by to temporally segregate their activities to avoid potential conflicts.
We used the Schoener index to measure the degree of temporal segregation among the species captured by infrared camera traps at this site.
Our research reveals the probable ways of both intra- and interspecies communication and demonstrates that the degree of temporal segregation may correlate with the degree of potential interspecies competition.
This is an important message to help understand the structure of animal communities.
Discovery of the sign post clarifies the importance of identifying key habitats and sites of both snow leopards and other species for more effective conservation.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Li, Juan& Schaller, George B.& McCarthy, Thomas M.& Wang, Dajun& Jiagong, Zhala& Cai, Ping…[et al.]. 2012. A Communal Sign Post of Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia) and Other Species on the Tibetan Plateau, China. International Journal of Biodiversity،Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-466710
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Li, Juan…[et al.]. A Communal Sign Post of Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia) and Other Species on the Tibetan Plateau, China. International Journal of Biodiversity No. 2013 (2013), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-466710
American Medical Association (AMA)
Li, Juan& Schaller, George B.& McCarthy, Thomas M.& Wang, Dajun& Jiagong, Zhala& Cai, Ping…[et al.]. A Communal Sign Post of Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia) and Other Species on the Tibetan Plateau, China. International Journal of Biodiversity. 2012. Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-466710
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-466710