Recent sightings and habitat characteristics of the endemic Nilgiri Marten Martes gwatkinsii in Western Ghats, India

摘要: Introduction Scientific information on the distribution, abundance and ecology of many carnivore species in Western Ghats such as Rusty spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus, Nilgiri Marten Martes gwatkinsii Malabar Civet Viverra civettina is very limited (Johnsigh, 1986; Nowell & Jackson, 1996; Mudappa, 1998) this a major handicap their conservation (Kumar Yoganand, 1999). The one largest rarest Indian mustelids endemic to Ghats. It southern counterpart Yellow-throated flavigula Siwaliks Himalayas. was considered rare by Pocock (1941). Action Plan then IUCN/SSC Viverrid Mustelid Specialist Group (Schreiber et al. 1989) recommended field surveys locate remaining populations determine whether existing reserves give adequate protection Marten. In article I present recent sight records habitat