Preliminary Assessment of Ecological Separation among medium-sized Mammals in the Cantonment Forest of Ranikhet, Kumaon Himalayas, India

Umrah Viquar; Orus Ilyas

doi:10.36808/if/2025/v151i10/170298

Preliminary Assessment of Ecological Separation among medium-sized Mammals in the Cantonment Forest of Ranikhet, Kumaon Himalayas, India

Authors

Umrah Viquar Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
Orus Ilyas Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2025/v151i10/170298

Keywords:

Ecological separation, Niche, Niche breadth, Niche overlap, Ranikhet.

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the ecological separation among the medium-sized mammals in the Ranikhet region of Kumaon Himalayas, focusing on the population abundance, habitat utilization, niche overlap, and food and feeding habits. The study included five target species: yellow-throated marten, red fox, Indian crested porcupine, red giant flying squirrel, and Indian hare. A method was employed to collect data by direct and indirect sightings, plot establishment, and scat/pellet collection. A total of 138 utilized and available plots were established along six selected trails and three random trails. The trails represented two major habitats, oak-mixed and chir pine. For each plot, habitat parameters such as tree density, diversity etc., and other attributes were estimated. The total fieldwork effort was recorded to be 182 hours, covering a distance of 81.4 kilometers across all the trails. The present study provides an insight into the population abundance, habitat utilization, niche overlap and food and feeding pattern of the medium-sized mammals to assess ecological separation in the Ranikhet region. Depicts non-significant and overlapping results between the sympatric species and habitat, giving reference to investigate further.

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