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Predicted distributions, niche comparisons, and conservation status of the spotted linsang (Prionodon pardicolor) and banded linsang (Prionodon linsang)

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Abstract

Knowledge of a species’ distribution and habitat preferences is of paramount importance when assessing its conservation status. We used accurately recorded occurrence records and ecological niche modeling to predict the distribution of two poorly known small carnivore species that occur in Asia, the spotted linsang (Prionodon pardicolor) and banded linsang (Prionodon linsang), and analyzed their niche overlaps for habitat and elevation. We then assessed the loss of their suitable habitat and estimated the proportion of predicted presence under protected areas. We identified and assessed possible anthropogenic threats, and used our modeling predictions to recommend surveying priorities. Our study confirmed that these two linsangs are geographically separated, with no known overlap of their distributions. Our results indicated that the habitat and elevation niches of these two linsangs are similar: they both occur primarily in evergreen forest and can be found at all elevations up to around 3,000 m. Although these two linsangs might be allopatric due to intense interspecific competition between them, other explanations could explain their distribution patterns, such as biogeographical and ecological barriers. Our findings suggest that these two linsangs might be threatened by the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of tropical evergreen forests. Urgent field studies are thus needed to learn more about their habitat requirements and the impact of anthropogenic threats, including tropical forest disturbance and hunting.

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Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to the following researchers (and their institutions and sponsors) for providing information: Mohd. Azlan J., W. Chutipong, A. Johnston, B. Kanchanasaka, K. Kawanishi, H. Keavuth, R. Laidlaw, M. Linkie, T. Lynam, E. Meijaard, A. Nugroho, S. Numata, N. Seauturien, R. Steinmetz, M. Rayan, S. Yasuma, J. Walston, H.T. Wibisono, A. Wilting, S.T. Wong, and A. Zafir. We thank the curators and staff of the following museums: American Museum of Natural History; Bombay Natural History Society Museum; Museum für Naturkunde; Calcutta Museum; Field Museum of Natural History; Museum of Comparative Zoology; Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle; Museum Victoria; Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense; Natural History Museum, London; Naturalis; Naturhistorisches Museum; Sarawak Museum; Sabah Museum; Senckenberg Naturhistorischen Sammlungen Dresden; Universiti Malaysia; National Museum of Natural History, Washington; Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen; Zoologisches Museum, Universität Hamburg; and Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research. This work was funded by the CNRS, MNHN, and French Ministry of Research (Programmes Pluriformations and Actions Transversales du Museum).

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  1. SMALL CARNIVORES—Research and Conservation, 83 St. Lawrence Street, Portland, ME, USA

    Andrew P. Jennings

  2. Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité, ISYEB, UMR 7205 CNRS MNHN UPMC EPHE, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CP 51, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France

    Geraldine Veron

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Jennings, A.P., Veron, G. Predicted distributions, niche comparisons, and conservation status of the spotted linsang (Prionodon pardicolor) and banded linsang (Prionodon linsang). Mamm Res 60, 107–116 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-014-0204-y

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