Online) An Open Access

Nandhini, Mohan, Yogesh, Sanil
2017 Online International Journal Available at   unpublished
Mudumalai tiger reserve is the most crucial tiger conservation unit in Southern India with connectivity to bordering tiger reserves. One year field study was carried out in the tiger reserve to understand the predation dynamics, prey relations, niche volume and resource partitioning between tiger and co-predators like Leopard and Indian dhole. Scat samples were collected from all the trek paths, river banks, watershed areas and vehicle tracks of the sanctuary during the winter and pre-monsoon
more » ... riod. Prey species were identified using forensic trichological techniques and various parameters like prey diversity, ecological niche and niche overlap were estimated. The spatial distribution was mapped using the QGIS and the data was interpolated to draw conclusions. The data shows that there is an effective resource partitioning between the sympatric carnivores in the reserve and thereby reducing the completion. The tiger adapts by accepting both strong and weak ungulate prey, increasing the niche breadth and distributed more towards undisturbed area. Co-predators adjust the competition by distributing spatially apart, increasing prey diversity, depending on arboreal and small mammal, livestock and sharing the abundant prey. The study suggests that the reserve is healthier and sustaining one in terms of prey abundance and resource partitioning.
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