Spatial ecology of a male and a female leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis heaneyi Groves 1997) in Aborlan, Palawan, Philippines
2018
Fernandez, D.A.P. | de Guia, A.P.O. | Dimalibot, J.C. | Bantayan, N.C.
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 sq km) was larger than that of the female (3.9236 sq km). An increase in mean home range size from dry season (3.5658 sq km) to wet season (4.0611 sq km) 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, Sundasciurus steerii, Maxomys panglima, and Tupaia palawanensis. When prey availability decreases, leopard cats may be driven to occupy larger ranges in search of food
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