Prey selection and food habits of the Tiger Panthera tigris (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, southern Western Ghats, India
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
The Endangered Tiger Panthera tigris is the largest felid, distributed over 1.1 million km2 globally. Conservation of Tigers largely depends on the preservation of its natural prey base and habitats. Therefore, the availability of prey and its selection play a major role in the sustainable future of Tigers in the given landscape. The current study assesses the prey selection patterns by Tigers in tropical evergreen forest of the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), southern Western Ghats, India. Density of ungulates was assessed by distance sampling (line transect, N = 21) and diet composition of Tigers was evaluated by analysing their faecal samples (N = 66). The study estimated very low ungulate density (26.87 ± 7.41 individuals km-2) with highest density of Gaur Bos gaurus (9.04 individuals km-2) followed by Wild Boar Sus scrofa (8.79 ± 2.73 individuals km-2), whereas, primate density was quite high (45.89 ± 12.48 individuals km-2), with Nilgiri Langur Semnopithecus johnii having the highest density (38.05 ± 10.22 individuals km-2). About 74.62% of the biomass of Gaur constituted in the Tiger’s diet, consumed lesser than its availability, whereas Sambar constituted 16.73% of the Tiger diet consumed proportionally to its availability. Chital Axis axis, Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak, and Indian Chevrotain Moschiola indica were not represented in the Tiger’s diet. The current study is the first scientific information on prey selection of the Tiger in KMTR landscape, which will serve as a baseline for its conservation planning and management.
Article Details
Authors own the copyright to the articles published in JoTT. This is indicated explicitly in each publication. The authors grant permission to the publisher Wildlife Information Liaison Development (WILD) Society to publish the article in the Journal of Threatened Taxa. The authors recognize WILD as the original publisher, and to sell hard copies of the Journal and article to any buyer. JoTT is registered under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY), which allows authors to retain copyright ownership. Under this license the authors allow anyone to download, cite, use the data, modify, reprint, copy and distribute provided the authors and source of publication are credited through appropriate citations (e.g., Son et al. (2016). Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of the southeastern Truong Son Mountains, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. Journal of Threatened Taxa 8(7): 8953–8969. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2785.8.7.8953-8969). Users of the data do not require specific permission from the authors or the publisher.
References
Aakrithi, S., A. Mukherjee, S. Dookia & H.N. Kumara (2017). An updated account of mammal species and population status of ungulates in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Current Science 113: 103–111.
Ackerman, B.B., F.G. Lindzey & T.P. Hemker (1984). Cougar food habits in southern Utah. Journal of Wildlife Management 1: 147–155.
Acharya, B.B. (2007).The ecology of the Dhole or Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus) in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh. Ph.D. Thesis. Saurashtra University, xvii+115pp.
Andheria, A.P., K.U. Karanth & N.S. Kumar (2007). Diet and prey profiles of three sympatric large carnivores in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, India. Journal of Zoology 273: 169–175. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2007.00310.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2007.00310.x
Arjunan, M., H. Christopher, J.P. Puyravaud & P. Davidar (2006). Do developmental initiatives influence local attitudes toward conservation? A case study from the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, India. Environmental Management 79: 188–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2005.06.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2005.06.007
Bagchi, S., S.P. Goyal & K. Sankar (2003). Prey abundance and prey selection by tigers (Panthera tigris) in a semi-arid, dry deciduous forest in western India. Journal of Zoology 260 285–290. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0952836903003765 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0952836903003765
Bahuguna, A., V. Sahajpal, S.P. Goyal, S.K. Mukherjee & V. Thakur (2010). Species Identification from Guard Hair of Selected Indian Mammals: A Reference Guide. Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, India, 447pp.
Babureddy, G., S. Kumar, S. Jayakumar & H.N. Kumara (2015). Estimate of primate density using distance sampling in the evergreen forests of the central Western Ghats. Current Science 108: 118–123.
Bekoff, M., T.J. Daniel & G.L. Gittleman (1984). Life history patterns and the comparative social ecology of carnivores. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 15: 191–232.
Biswas, S. & K. Sankar (2002). Prey abundance and food habit of tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) in Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India. Journal of Zoology 256: 411–420. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0952836902000456 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0952836902000456
Brillouin, L. (1956). Science and Information Theory. Academic Press, New York, 320pp. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3059856
Breuer, T. (2005). Diet choice of large carnivores in northern Cameroon. African Journal of Ecology 43: 97–106. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2028.2005.00551.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2028.2005.00551.x
Buckland, S.T., D.R. Anderson, K.P. Burnham & J.L. Laake (1993). Distance Sampling: Estimating Abundance of Biological Populations. Chapman and Hall, London, 446pp.
Buckland, S.T., D.R. Anderson, K.P. Burnham, J.L. Laake, D.L. Borchers & L. Thomas (2001). Introduction to Distance Sampling: Estimating Abundance of Biological Populations. Oxford University Press, UK, 448pp.
Buckland, S.T., D.A. Elston & S.J. Beaney (1996). Predicting distributional change, with application to bird distributions in northeast, Scotland. Global Ecology and Biogeography Letters 5(2): 66–84.
Burnham, K.P, D.R. Anderson & J.L. Laake (1980). Estimation of density from line transect sampling of biological populations. Wildlife Monograph 72: 1–202.
Chakraborty, R. & J.K. De (2010). Atlas of Hairs of Indian Mammals. Part 1: Carnivora. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 144pp.
Chakrabarti, S., Y.V. Jhala, S. Dutta, Q. Qureshi, R.V. Kadivar & V.J. Rana (2016). Adding constraints to predation through allometric relation of scats to consumption. Journal of Animal Ecology 85: 660–670. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.12508 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.12508
Chauhan, N.P.S., H.S. Bargali & N. Akhtar (2004). Activity patterns of Sloth Bear in fragmented and disturbed areas of Bilaspur Forest Division, Chattisgarh, India. Presented in the 15th International Conference on Bear Research and Management, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Check, E. (2006). The tiger’s retreat. Nature 441: 927–930. https://doi.org/10.1038/441927a DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/441927a
Edgaonkar, A. (2008). Ecology of the leopard (Panthera pardus) in Bori Wildlife Sanctuary and Satpura National Park, India. PhD Thesis, University of Florida, 134pp.
Floyd, T.J., L.D. Mech & P.J. Jordan (1978). Relating wolf scat contents to prey consumed. Journal of Wildlife Management 42: 528–532.
Gopalaswamy, A.M., K.U. Karanth, N.S. Kumar & D.W. Macdonald (2012). Estimating tropical forest ungulate densities from sign surveys using abundance models of occupancy. Animal Conservation 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-1795.2012.00565.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-1795.2012.00565.x
Harsha, S.R., C. Srinivasulu & K.T. Rao (2004). Prey selection by the Indian Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) in Nagajunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve, India. Mammalian Biology 69: 384–391.
Harihar, A., B. Pandav & S.P. Goyal (2009). Responses of tiger (Panthera tigris) and their prey to removal of anthropogenic influences in Rajaji National Park, India. European Journal of Wildlife Research 55: 97–105. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-008-0219-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-008-0219-2
Hopeland, P., J-P. Puyravaud & P. Davidar (2016). The Nilgiri Tahr (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae: Nilgiritragus hylocrius Ogilby, 1838) in the Agastyamalai Range, Western Ghats, India: population status and threats. Journal of Threatened Taxa 8(6): 8877–8882. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2542.8.6.8877-8882 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2542.8.6.8877-8882
Hayward, M.W., W. Jedrzejewski & B. Jedrzejwska (2012). Prey preference of the tiger Panthera tigris. Journal of Zoology 286: 221–231. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2011.00871.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2011.00871.x
Jacobs, J. (1974). Quantitative measurement of food selection - a modification of the forage ratio and Ivlev’s electivity index. Oecologia 14: 413–417.
Jathanna, D., K.U. Karanth & A.J.T. Johnsingh (2003). Estimation of large herbivore densities in the tropical forests of southern India using distance sampling. Journal of Zoology 261: 285–290. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0952836903004278 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0952836903004278
Johnsingh, A.J.T. (1983).Large mammalian prey-predators in Bandipur. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 80: 1–57.
Johnsingh, A.J.T. (1992). Prey selection in three large sympatric carnivores in Bandipur. Mammalia 56: 517–526. https://doi.org/10.1515/mamm.1992.56.4.517 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/mamm.1992.56.4.517
Johnsingh, A.J.T. (2001). The Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: A global heritage of biological diversity. Current Science 80: 378–388.
Karanth, K.U. (1993). Predator-prey relationships among large mammals of Nagarahole National Park, (India). PhD Thesis, Department of Bioscience,Mangalore University, 180pp.
Karanth, K.U., J.D. Nichols, N. Samba Kumar, W.A. Link & J.E. Hines (2004). Tigers and their prey: predicting carnivore densities from prey abundance. Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 101: 4854–4858.
Karanth, K.U., J.D. Nichols, J. Seidensticker, J.L. Dinerstein, D. Smith, C. McDougal, A.J.T. Johnsingh, R.S.V. Chundawat & V. Thapar (2003). Science deficiency in conservation practice: the monitoring of tiger populations in India. Animal Conservation 6: 141–146. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1367943003003184 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1367943003003184
Karanth, K.U. & M.E. Sunquist (2000). Behavioural correlates of predation by tiger (Panthera tigris), leopard (Panthera pardus) and dhole (Cuon alpinus) in Nagarahole, India. Journal of Zoology 250: 255–265. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2000.tb01076.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2000.tb01076.x
Karanth, K.U. & J.D. Nichols (1998). Estimation of tiger densities in India using photographic captures and recaptures. Ecology 79: 2852–2862. https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(1998)079[2852:EOTDII]2.0.CO;2
Karanth, K.U. & M.E. Sunquist (1995). Prey selection by tiger, leopard and dhole in tropical forests. Journal of Animal Ecology 64: 439–450.
Karanth, K.U. & M.E. Sunquist (1992).Population structure, density and biomass of large herbivores in the tropical forests of Nagarahole, India. Journal of Tropical Ecology 8: 21–35. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467400006040 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467400006040
Khan, J.A, R. Chellam, W.A. Rodgers & A.J.T. Johnsingh (1996). Ungulates densities and biomass in the tropical dry deciduous forests of Gir, Gujarat, India. Journal of Tropical Ecology 12: 149–162. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467400009366 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467400009366
Kumaraguru, A., R. Saravanamuthu, K. Brinda & S. Asokan (2011). Prey preference of large carnivores in Anamalai Tiger. European Journal of Wildlife Research 57: 627–637. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-010-0473-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-010-0473-y
Kumara, H.N., S. Rathnakumar, R. Sasi & M. Singh (2012). Conservation status of wild mammals in Bilgiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, the Western Ghats, India. Current Science 103: 933–940.
Kerley, L.L, A.S. Mukhacheva, D.S. Maityukhina, E. Salmanova, G.P. Salkina & D.G. Miquelle (2015). A comparison of food habits and prey preference of Amur Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) at three sites in the Russian Far East. Integrative Zoology 10: 354–364. https://doi.org/10.1111/1749-4877.12135 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1749-4877.12135
Lamichhane, S. & B.R. Jha (2015). Prey selection by Bengal Tiger Panthera tigris tigris (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) of Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Journal of Threatened Taxa 7(14): 8081–8088. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2424.7.14.8081-8088 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2424.7.14.8081-8088
Malla, S. (2009). Estimating the Status and Impact of Hunting on Tiger Prey in Bardia National Park, Nepal. MSc Dissertation. Department of Wildlife Science, Saurasthra University.
McDougal, C. (1977). The Face of the Tiger. Rivington, London, 180pp.
Miquelle, D.G., J.M. Goodrich, E.N. Smirnov, P.A. Stephens, O.J. Zaumyslova, G. Chapron, L.L. Kerley, A.A. Murzin, M.G. Hornocker & H.B. Quigley (2010). The Amur Tiger: a case study of living on the edge, pp. 325–339. In: Loveridge, A.J. & D.W. MacDonald. (eds.). The Biology and Conservation of Wild Felids. Oxford University Press, UK, 762pp.
Mondal, K., S. Gupta, Q. Qureshi & K. Sankar (2011). Prey selection and food habits of Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, India. Mammalia 75: 201–205. https://doi.org/10.1515/mamm.2011.011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/mamm.2011.011
Mukherjee, S.D., S.P. Goyal & R. Chellam (1994). Refined techniques for the analysis of Asiatic Lion Panthera leo persica scats. Acta Theriologica 39: 425–430. https://doi.org/10.4098/AT.arch.94-50 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4098/AT.arch.94-50
Naniwadekar, R. & K. Vasudevan (2006). Patterns in diversity of anurans along an elevational gradient in the Western Ghats, South India. Journal of Biogeography 34: 842–853. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2699.2006.01648.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2699.2006.01648.x
Narasimmarajan, K., S. Mahato & A. Parida (2014). Population density and biomass of the wild prey species in a tropical deciduous forest, central India. Taprobanica 1: 1–6. http://doi.org/10.4038/tapro.v6i1.7053 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4038/tapro.v6i1.7053
O’Brien, T.G., Kinnaird, M.F & H.Y. Wibisono (2003). Crouching tigers, hidden prey: Sumatran Tiger and prey populations in a tropical forest landscape. Animal Conservation 6: 131–139. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1367943003003172 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1367943003003172
Paliwal, A. (2008). Geospatial modelling of ungulate habitat relationship in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharastra. PhD Thesis, Department of Wildlife Science, Sourashtra University, xviii+136.
Polis, G.A & D.R. Strong (1996). Food web complexity and community dynamics. The American Naturalist 147: 813–846.
Rabinowitz, A. (1993). Estimating the Indochinese tiger Panthera tigris carbetti population in Thailand. Biological Conservation 65: 213–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3207(93)90055-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3207(93)90055-6
Ramesh, T. (2010). Prey selection and food habits of large carnivores: tiger Panthera tigris, leopard Panthera pardus and dhole Cuon alpinus in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu. PhD Thesis. Department of Wildlife Science, Saurashtra University, xvii+173pp.
Ramesh, T., R. Kalle, K. Sankar & Q. Qureshi (2012a). Dietary partitioning in sympatric large carnivores in Tropical forest of Western Ghats, India. Mammal Study 37: 85–89. https://doi.org/10.3106/041.037.0405 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3106/041.037.0405
Ramesh, T., N. Sridharan, K. Sankar, Q. Qureshi, K. Muthamizh selvan, N. Gokulakannan, P. Francis, K. Narasimmarajan, Y.V. Jhala & R. Gopal (2012b). Status of large carnivore and their prey tropical rain forest of South-Western Ghats, India. Tropical Ecology 53: 137–148.
Reza, A.H.M.A., M.M. Feeroz & M.A. Islam (2002). Prey species density of Bengal Tiger in the Sundarbans. Journal of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Science 28: 35–42.
Sankaran, M. (2005). Fire, grazing and the dynamics of tall-grass savannas in the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, south India. Conservation and Society 3: 4–25.
Sankar, K., Q. Qureshi, P. Nigam, P.K. Malik, P.R. Sinha, R.N. Mehrotra, R. Gopal,S. Bhattacharjee, K. Mondal& S. Gupta (2010). Monitoring of reintroduced tigers in Sariska Tiger Reserve, western India: preliminary findings on home range, prey selection and food habits. Tropical Conservation Science 3: 301–318. https://doi.org/10.1177/194008291000300305 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/194008291000300305
Sankar, K. & A.J.T. Johnsingh (2002). Food habits of tiger (Panthera tigris) and leopard (Panthera pardus) in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, India, as shown by scat analysis. Mammalia 66: 285–289. https://doi.org/10.1515/mamm.2002.66.2.285 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/mamm.2002.66.2.285
Sarkar, M.K. (2012). Management strategies for endemic and threatened medicinal plants in India- a geoinformatic approach, with special reference to Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. Department of Environment, Government of Tamil Nadu, India, 594pp.
Sathyakumar, S. (2000). Status of Mammals on Mundanthurai plateau, south India. Tiger Paper 27(2): 1–6.
Scheel, D. (1993). Profitability, encounter rates, and prey choice of African lions. Behavioral Ecology 4: 90–97. https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/4.1.90 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/4.1.90
Seidensticker, J. (1997). Saving the tiger. Wildlife Society Bulletin 25: 6–17.
Selvan, K.M., G.V. Gopi, S. Lyngdoh, B. Habib & S.A. Hussain (2013a). Prey selection and food habits of three sympatric large carnivores in a tropical lowland of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot. Mammalian Biology 78: 296–303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2012.11.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2012.11.009
Selvan, K.M., N. Gokulakanna & N. Sridharana (2013b). Food habits of dhole Cuon alpinus in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu, India. Asiatic Journal of Conservation Biology 12: 69–72.
Smith, J.L.D., C. McDougal & D. Miquelle (1989). Communication in free-ranging tigers (Panthera tigris). Animal Behaviour 37: 1–10.
Stephens, D.W. & J.R. Krebs (1987). Foraging Theory. Princeton University Press, Princeton, 262pp. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9780691206790
Stoen, O. & P. Wegge (1996). Prey selection and prey removal by tiger (Panthera tigris) during the dry season in lowland Nepal. Mammalia 60: 363–373. https://doi.org/10.1515/mamm-1996-0303 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/mamm-1996-0303
Sunquist, M. (2010). What is a tiger? Ecology and behaviour, pp. 19–33. In: Tilson, R. & P.J. Nyhus (eds). Tigers of the World. The Science, Politics, and Conservation of Panthera tigris. 2nd edition. Academic Press, London, 552pp.
Sunquist, M.E. (1981). The social organization of tigers (Panthera tigris) in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Smithsonian Contribution to Zoology 336: 1–98. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810282.336 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810282.336
Sunquist, M.E. & F.C. Sunquist (1999). Ecology, behaviour and resilience of the tiger and its conservation needs, pp. 5–18. In: Seidensticker, J., S. Christie & P. Jackson (eds.). Riding the Tiger: Tiger Conservation in Human - Dominated Landscapes. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Swaminathan, S., A. Desai & J.C. Daniel (2002). Large Carnivores in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. Report submitted to Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay, 80pp.
Tamang, K.M. (1982). The status of the tiger (Panthera tigris) and its impact on principal prey population in the Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal. PhD Thesis. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, iii+123pp.
Thomas, L., S.T. Buckland, E.A. Rexstad, J.L. Laake, S. Strindberg, S.L. Hedley, J.R.B. Bishop, T.A. Marques & K.P. Burnham (2010). Distance software: design and analysis of distance sampling surveys for estimating population size. Journal of Applied Ecology 47: 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2009.01737.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2009.01737.x
Uma, R., G.C. Richard & N.W. Pelkey (1999). Tiger decline caused by the reduction of large ungulate prey: evidence from a study of leopard diets in southern India. Biological Conservation 89: 113–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3207(98)00159-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3207(98)00159-1
Venkatesh, A., N. Sridharan, A.J. Pakiavathi & K.M. Selvan (2017). Abundance of large carnivore and its prey species after removal of cattle grazing in Mundanturai plateau of Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India. Journal of Biodiversity and Endangered Species 5: 178. https://doi.org/10.4172/2332-2543.1000178 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4172/2332-2543.1000178
Venkataraman, A.B., R. Arumugam & Sukumar (1995). The foraging ecology of dhole (Cuonalpinus) in Mudumalai Sanctuary, southern India. Journal of Zoology 237: 543–561. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1995.tb05014.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1995.tb05014.x
Yoganand, K., C.G. Rice & A.J.T. Johnsingh (2005). Evaluating Panna National Park with Special Reference to the Ecology of Sloth Bear. Final project report. Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, India, 280pp.
Wegge, P., M. Odd, C.P. Pokharel & T. Storaas (2009). Predator–prey relationships and responses of ungulates and their predators to the establishment of protected areas: a case study of tigers, leopards and their prey in Bardia National Park, Nepal. Biological Conservation 142: 189–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2008.10.020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2008.10.020