IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Lorestani, N.; Hemami, M.-R.; Rezvani, A.; Ahmadi, M. | |
| Ecological niche models reveal divergent habitat use of Pallas's cat in the Eurasian cold steppes | |
| 2024 Ecology and Evolution (12): e9624 | |
Identifying the association between the patterns of niche occupation and phylogenetic relationships among sister clades and assisting conservation planning implications are of the most important applications of species distribution models (SDMs). However, most studies have been carried out regardless of within taxon genetic differentiation and the potential of local adaptation occurring within the species level. The Pallas's cat (_Otocolobus manul_) is a less-studied species with unknown biogeography and phylogenetic structure across a widespread yet isolated range from the Caucasus to eastern China. In the current study, by considering a previously proposed genetic structure and based on a cluster analysis on climatic variables, we supposed three clades for this species, including _O. m. manul_,_ O. m. ferrugineus_, and_ O. m. nigripectus_. We developed SDM for each clade separately and compared it with a general distribution model of the species to determine whether the hypothesized taxonomic resolution affects the predicted ecological niche of the within-species structures. We assessed the effect of climate change on the future distribution of the species to detect the most sensitive clades to global warming scenarios. Our results showed that for all clades' models, the AUC and TSS were greater than the general model. Access to the preferred prey of the Pallas's cat, that is, pika, had a significant effect on the distribution of _O. m. manul_ and _O. m. ferrugineus_, whereas the most influential variable affecting _O. m. nigripectus_ habitat suitability was terrain slope. Based on our future projections, we found that future climate change likely threatens the clades _O. m. ferrugineus_ and_ O. m. nigripectus_ more than _O. m. manul_, findings that were hidden in the general model. Our results highlight the proficiency of SDMs in recognizing within-taxon habitat use of widespread species and the necessity of this procedure for implementing effective conservation planning of these species. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |