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

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dc.contributor.authorWilting, Andreasen
dc.contributor.authorCord, Annaen
dc.contributor.authorHearn, Andrew J.en
dc.contributor.authorHesse, Deikeen
dc.contributor.authorMohamed, Azlanen
dc.contributor.authorTraeholdt, Carlen
dc.contributor.authorCheyne, Susan M.en
dc.contributor.authorSunarto, Sunartoen
dc.contributor.authorMohd-Azlan, Jayasilanen
dc.contributor.authorRoss, Joannaen
dc.contributor.authorShapiro, Aurelie C.en
dc.contributor.authorSebastian, Anthonyen
dc.contributor.authorDech, Stefanen
dc.contributor.authorBreitenmoser, Christineen
dc.contributor.authorSanderson, Jimen
dc.contributor.authorDuckworth, J. W.en
dc.contributor.authorHofer, Heriberten
dc.contributor.departmentFish and Wildlife Conservationen
dc.date.accessioned2018-11-13T14:06:48Zen
dc.date.available2018-11-13T14:06:48Zen
dc.date.issued2010-03-17en
dc.description.abstractBackground 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 the pollution of fresh-water river systems and landscape fragmentation, raise concerns regarding its conservation status. Despite an increasing number of camera-trapping field surveys for carnivores in South-East Asia during the past two decades, few of these studies recorded the flat-headed cat. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, we designed a predictive species distribution model using the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) algorithm to reassess the potential current distribution and conservation status of the flat-headed cat. Eighty-eight independent species occurrence records were gathered from field surveys, literature records, and museum collections. These current and historical records were analysed in relation to bioclimatic variables (WorldClim), altitude (SRTM) and minimum distance to larger water resources (Digital Chart of the World). Distance to water was identified as the key predictor for the occurrence of flat-headed cats (>50% explanation). In addition, we used different land cover maps (GLC2000, GlobCover and SarVision LLC for Borneo), information on protected areas and regional human population density data to extract suitable habitats from the potential distribution predicted by the MaxEnt model. Between 54% and 68% of suitable habitat has already been converted to unsuitable land cover types (e.g. croplands, plantations), and only between 10% and 20% of suitable land cover is categorised as fully protected according to the IUCN criteria. The remaining habitats are highly fragmented and only a few larger forest patches remain. Conclusion/Significance Based on our findings, we recommend that future conservation efforts for the flat-headed cat should focus on the identified remaining key localities and be implemented through a continuous dialogue between local stakeholders, conservationists and scientists to ensure its long-term survival. The flat-headed cat can serve as a flagship species for the protection of several other endangered species associated with the threatened tropical lowland forests and surface fresh-water sources in this region.en
dc.description.versionPublished versionen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0009612en
dc.identifier.eissn1932-6203en
dc.identifier.issue3en
dc.identifier.othere9612en
dc.identifier.pmid20305809en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/85825en
dc.identifier.volume5en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherPLOSen
dc.rightsCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 Internationalen
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/en
dc.titleModelling the Species Distribution of Flat-Headed Cats (Prionailurus planiceps), an Endangered South-East Asian Small Feliden
dc.title.serialPLOS ONEen
dc.typeArticle - Refereeden
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten

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