Influence of season, sex, and interspecific interactions on the diel activity patterns of two sympatric African small carnivores.

ABSTRACT: Animal activity patterns vary seasonally and between species, facilitating species coexistence. In Africa, however, factors affecting the activity of many small carnivores remain poorly understood, especially for congeneric and sympatric species whose similar sizes may lead to interspecific competition. Here, we investigated differences and variations in the activity patterns of two sympatric Viverridae species in a seasonal African landscape. We continuously radio-tracked 15 small-spotted genets (Genetta genetta) and five Cape genets (G. tigrina) over 24-h cycles throughout the year. We analysed the effects of season, sex, and interspecific interactions on circadian rhythms using multi-cosinor regression models. Both species maintained a nocturnal activity pattern year-round, decreasing a

SUBMITTER: Carvalho F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11607084 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature