Data from: Factors influencing ocelot occupancy in Brazilian Atlantic Forest reserves

Over 80% of Atlantic Forest remnants are <50 ha and protected areas are embedded in a matrix dominated by human activities, undermining the long-term persistence of carnivores. The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is an opportunistic species, but little is known about its tolerance to habitat alterations and the influence of other species on its occupancy in Atlantic Forest remnants. We used camera traps to assess ocelot occupancy in protected areas of Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. We found a positive correlation between the occupancy of ocelots and top predators (jaguars, Panthera onca, and pumas, Puma concolor), and a weaker negative effect between the number of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) detected and ocelot occupancy. Ocelot detection was higher at sites with more eucalyptus, suggesting that ocelots frequently use these areas. Better-protected areas surrounded by permeable matrices may be critical to the persistence of ocelots in the fragmented Atlantic Forest.

超过80%的大西洋森林（Atlantic Forest）剩余斑块面积不足50公顷，且保护区域嵌入于以人类活动为主的景观基质之中，这严重削弱了食肉动物的长期存续能力。虎猫（Leopardus pardalis）属于机会主义物种，但目前学界对其耐受生境改变的能力，以及其他物种对其在大西洋森林剩余斑块中占用率（occupancy）的影响知之甚少。我们借助红外相机陷阱（camera traps），对巴西东南部大西洋森林保护区域内的虎猫占用率进行了评估。研究发现，虎猫的占用率与顶级捕食者（美洲豹Panthera onca、美洲狮Puma concolor）的占用率呈正相关；而检测到的家犬（Canis familiaris）数量与虎猫占用率则呈较弱的负相关关系。在桉树覆盖度更高的样点，虎猫的检测率更高，这表明虎猫会频繁利用这类区域。被可渗透景观基质环绕的高保护等级区域，对于破碎化大西洋森林中虎猫的存续至关重要。