Closely related species show species-specific environmental responses and different spatial conservation needs: Prionailurus cats in the Indian subcontinent.

ABSTRACT: Phylogenetically closely related species are often assumed to have similar responses to environmental conditions, but species-specific responses have also been described. These two scenarios may have different conservation implications. We tested these two hypotheses for Prionailurus cats (P. rubiginosus, P. bengalensis, P. viverrinus) in the Indian subcontinent and show its implications on species current protected area coverage and climatic suitability trends through time. We fitted ecological niche models with current environmental conditions and calculated niche overlap. In addition, we developed a model for the Jungle Cat Felis chaus to compare species responses and niche overlap estimates within Prionailurus with those for a related sympatric small cat species. Then we estimated the

SUBMITTER: Silva AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7599212 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature