Modelling the Species Distribution of Flat-Headed Cats (Prionailurus planiceps), an Endangered South-East Asian Small Felid

摘要: Background: The flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps) is one of the world’s least known, highly threatened felids with a distribution restricted to tropical lowland rainforests in Peninsular Thailand/Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra. Throughout its geographic range large-scale anthropogenic transformation processes, including pollution fresh-water river systems landscape fragmentation, raise concerns regarding conservation status. Despite an increasing number cameratrapping field surveys for carnivores South-East Asia during past two decades, few these studies recorded flatheaded cat. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study, we designed predictive species model using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) algorithm reassess potential current status cat. Eighty-eight independent occurrence records were gathered from field surveys,literature records, museum collections. These historical analysed relation bioclimatic variables (WorldClim), altitude (SRTM) minimum distance larger water resources (Digital Chart World). Distance was identified as key predictor cats (.50% explanation). addition, used different land cover maps (GLC2000, GlobCover SarVision LLC Borneo), information on protected areas regional human population density data extract suitable habitats predicted by MaxEnt model. Between 54% 68% of suitable habitat has already been converted unsuitable types (e.g. croplands, plantations), only between 10% 20% categorised fully according IUCN criteria. remaining are fragmented forest patches remain. Conclusion/Significance: Based our findings, recommend that future efforts should focus localities be implemented through continuous dialogue local stakeholders, conservationists scientists ensure long-term survival. can serve flagship protection several other endangered associated forests surface sources region.