Occupancy and coexistence patterns of sympatric felid species in human-disturbed tropical habitats of Xishuangbanna, southwestern China

Felid species hold critical ecological roles within tropical forest ecosystems and are particularly susceptible to human-induced disturbances. However, there is limited research on how sympatric felid species distributed and coexist in human-dominated habitats. Using a long-term camera trap survey conducted in the disturbed tropical habitats of Xishuangbanna, southwestern China, we assessed the occupancy and spatio-temporal segregation among sympatric four felid species (Leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis, Marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata, Asiatic golden cat Catopuma temminckii, and Clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa), and explored how these patterns correlate with similarities in species traits. We found that the occupancy probabilities of leopard cats and clouded leopards were primarily influenced by anthropogenic disturbances rather than natural factors, with both species negatively affected by croplands. Similar species responses to croplands and livestock may facilitate the co-occurrence of leopard cats with clouded leopards in areas farther from croplands and with golden cats in regions with higher livestock abundance. The lack of significant spatial segregations among species is likely due to the observed segregation in daily activity patterns, which positively correlated with species trait similarities. Our study enhances our understanding of felid community assembly in the face of expanding human activity, offering valuable insights for future conservation in the Xishuangbanna region.