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）残存斑块面积不足50公顷，且保护区嵌入在以人类活动为主导的景观基质中，这损害了食肉动物的长期存续。虎猫（Leopardus pardalis）属于机会主义物种，但目前学界对其在大西洋森林残存斑块中的生境改变耐受性，以及其他物种对其占用率的影响仍知之甚少。本研究借助相机陷阱（camera traps），评估了巴西东南部大西洋森林保护区内虎猫的占用情况。研究结果显示，虎猫的占用率与顶级捕食者——美洲豹（Panthera onca）和美洲狮（Puma concolor）——呈显著正相关；而检测到的家犬（Canis familiaris）数量与虎猫占用率则呈现较弱的负相关。在桉树覆盖度更高的调查位点，虎猫的检测率更高，这表明虎猫会频繁利用这类区域。被通透性景观基质环绕的保护状况更佳的保护区，或许对破碎化大西洋森林中虎猫的种群存续至关重要。