raw camera trap data for obtaining activity patterns

The use of camera traps is a very effective method for monitoring mesocarnivore communities, allowing to study aspects such as activity patterns, trophic ecology, and spatial coexistence. In this study, we examined the coexistence of different mesocarnivore species present in a riparian forest habitat that serves as a refuge in an intensive agricultural matrix, using camera trap data collected from May 2021 to March 2022.
We studied the temporal overlap between the two most abundant species, a trophic generalist (the red fox; Vulpes vulpes) and a facultative specialist (the common genet; Genetta genetta), with one of their main prey (micromammals) throughout all seasons of the year. The temporal overlap between the fox and the genet was moderate in all seasons, except in winter, where it was significantly lower. The overlap with small mammals was higher for the genet than for the fox, especially in spring and autumn, when these preys have greater activity.
The coexistence between these two species, which also share the environment with seven other carnivore species, may be mediated by temporal differentiation, suggesting a temporal niche differentiation as well, which would confirm the facultative specialist nature of the genet.