Assessing tiger–prey interactions in Sumatran rainforests

摘要: Little is known about interactions between the critically endangered Sumatran tiger Panthera tigris sumatrae and its prey because of difficulties associated with detecting these species. In this study, we quantify temporal overlap five presumed species from four study areas comprising disturbed lowland to primary submontane forest. Data 126 camera traps over 8984 days were used estimate activity patterns and, in turn, their through coefficient Δ (ranging 0 1, i.e. no complete overlap). A newly developed statistical technique was applied determine confidence intervals respective overlap, which important, as such measures precision are usually not estimated types study. Strong found muntjac Muntiacus (Δ=0.80, 95%CI=0.71–0.84) sambar Cervus unicolor (Δ=0.81, 0.55–0.85), latter illustrating importance measuring precision. According foraging theory, tigers should focus on expending lower levels energy searching for then capturing larger bodied that present least risk. Hence, surprisingly, there little crepuscular largest-bodied available, nocturnal tapir Tapirus indicus (0.52, 0.44–0.60), suggesting it a principal This provides first insights into tiger–prey interactions. The ability statistics has obvious wide benefits other predator–prey interspecific competition studies.