Habitat use of jaguar (Panthera onca) in a tropical forest in northern Quintana Roo, Mexico

Abstract

The study was carried out in a median stature tropical forest in the north of Quintana Roo during 2008, 2010-2012, using camera traps to record activity and habitat use by jaguar and other vertebrates. Spatial and temporal variations in habitat use, activity patterns, and species associations were analyzed using a chi-squared test (x2). Generalized
linear models (GLM) were used to determine which variables influenced the presence of jaguars in the study area. Jaguars were most frequently recorded in acahual (80%) and on roads (66.9%). There were significant differences between years, with selection for particular habitat and trail types in 2008 and 2011 (all χ2 p <0.001). Jaguars were mainly crepuscular-nocturnal (68.5% records). They showed spatial associations with Meleagris ocellata, Dasypus novemncinctus, Mazama temama, Nasua narica, Odocoileus virginianus, Leopardus pardalis, Didelphis spp., and
Pecari tajacu. Generalized linear models based on prey, co-predators, and human activity gave the best fit with jaguar occurrence. The felids responded to environmental changes (hurricanes and fires) by modifying their spatial and temporal use of resources.