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We recorded a 15-s video of a female ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in Monte Grande, Aguascalientes, Mexico. This is the second ocelot record for Sierra Fria and the third for the state of Aguascalientes, confirming the expansion of the distribution range and habitat type for the species in Mexico.

Fil: Paviolo, Agustin Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical; Argentina

Camera-trapping is widespread in wildlife studies, especially for species with individually unique markings to which capture–recapture analytical techniques can be applied. The large volume of data such studies produce have encouraged researchers to increasingly look to computer-assisted pattern-recognition software to expedite individual identifications, but little work has been done to formally assess such software for camera-trap data. We used 2 sets of camera-trap images—359 images of jaguars (Panthera onca) and 332 images of ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) collected from camera traps deployed in 4 study sites in Orange Walk District, Belize, in 2015 and 2016—to compare the accuracy of 2 such programs, HotSpotter and Wild-ID, and assess the effect of image quality on matching success. Overall, HotSpotter selected a correct match as its top rank 71–82% of the time, whereas the rate for Wild-ID was 58–73%. Positive matching rates for both programs were highest for high-quality images (85–99%) and lowest for low-quality images (28–52%). False match rates were very low for HotSpotter (0–2%) but these were greater in Wild-ID (6–28%). When lower ranks were also considered, both programs performed similarly (overall 22–24% nonmatches for HotSpotter, 17–26% nonmatches for Wild-ID). We found that in both programs, images more often matched to other images of the same quality; therefore, including multiple reference images of an individual, of different qualities, improves matching success. These programs do not provide fully automatic identification of individuals and human involvement is still required to confirm matches, but we found that they are effective tools to expedite processing of camera-trap data. We also offer usage recommendations for researchers to maximize the benefits of these tools.

Home ranges reflect a trade-off between the costs and benefits associated with acquiring resources and are influenced by complex interactions among intrinsic and extrinsic factors. These factors can lead to different spatial and temporal patterns to acquire the necessary resources that meet energetic and reproductive needs. Identifying the drivers of these strategies concurrently across spatiotemporal scales remains rare but is essential for identifying landscape constraints on populations in rapidly changing systems. We examined spatiotemporal drivers of home range size of the federally endangered ocelot ( Leopardus pardalis ; [22 Males, 12 Females]) in the two remaining populations in the USA. Males increased home range size during reproductive periods while females constrained their home range, but increased in size to match the demands of reproduction. Habitat complexity and the associated prey diversity and abundance were related to smaller home range size. Our results suggest that home range variation is a response to environmental conditions and annual changes in life history. Sex-specific drivers of home range size across space and time—in the context of habitat loss, shifting climate patterns, and changing resource productivity—can help identify management and habitat restoration targets for small and declining populations.

Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) are listed as least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list of Threatened Species, yet we lack knowledge on basic demographic parameters across much of the ocelot’s geographic range, including population density. We used camera-trapping methodology and spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) models with sex-specific detection function parameters to estimate ocelot densities across 7 field sites over 1 to 12 years (from data collected during 2002–2015) in Belize, Central America. Ocelot densities in the broadleaf rainforest sites ranged between 7.2 and 22.7 ocelots/100 km², whereas density in the pine (Pinus spp.) forest site was 0.9 ocelots/100 km². Applying an inverse-variance weighted average over all years for each broadleaf site increased precision and resulted in average density ranging from 8.5 to 13.0 ocelots/100 km². Males often had larger movement parameter estimates and higher detection probabilities at their activity centers than females. In most years, the sex ratio was not significantly different from 50:50, but the pooled sex ratio estimated using an inverse weighted average over all years indicated a female bias in 1 site, and a male bias in another. We did not detect any population trends as density estimates remained relatively constant over time; however, the power to detect such trends was generally low. Our SECR density estimates were lower but more precise than previous estimates and indicated population stability for ocelots in Belize.

ContextRoad networks can negatively impact wildlife populations through habitat fragmentation, decreased landscape connectivity, and wildlife-vehicle collisions, thereby influencing the spatial ecology and population dynamics of imperiled species. The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a federally endangered wild felid in South Texas, with a high mortality rate linked to vehicle collisions.ObjectivesUsing a multi-scale approach, we quantified and examined landscape spatial structure at ocelot roadkill locations, and between roadkill locations of male and female ocelots.MethodsWe quantified the spatial distribution of land cover types at 26 ocelot–vehicle collision sites in South Texas that occurred from 1984–2017. We compared landscape metrics of woody, herbaceous, and bare ground cover types across multiple spatial scales at roadkill locations to those from random road locations, and between male and female ocelots.ResultsRoadkill sites consisted of 13–20% more woody cover than random locations. Woody patches at roadkill sites were 7.1–11% larger (2.4 ha) closer to roads and spaced 10–16 m closer together farther away from roads compared to random locations. Percent woody cover was the best indicator of ocelot–vehicle collision sites; there were no differences in woody cover between male and female road mortality locations.ConclusionThese findings suggest that ocelots are likely struck by vehicles while crossing between habitat patches. Roads that bisect areas of woody cover have negative impacts on ocelots by increasing habitat fragmentation and vulnerability to vehicle collisions. Crossing structures should be placed in areas with ≥ 30% woody cover and 3.5 ha woody patches.

The occurrence of Trypanosoma spp. in wild carnivore populations has been intensively investigated during the last decades. However, the impact of these parasites on the health of free-living infected animals has been largely neglected. The Pantanal biome is the world's largest seasonal wetland, harboring a great diversity of species and habitats. This includes 174 species of mammals, of which 20 belong to the order Carnivora. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Trypanosoma evansi and Trypanosoma cruzi infections and coinfections on the health of the most abundant carnivores in the Pantanal: coati (Nasua nasua), crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). We captured 39 coatis, 48 crab-eating foxes, and 19 ocelots. Diagnostic tests showed T. cruzi infection in 7 crab-eating foxes and 5 coatis. Additionally, 7 crab-eating foxes, 10 coatis, and 12 ocelots were positive for T. evansi. We observed coinfections in 9 crab-eating foxes, 8 coatis, and 2 ocelots. This is the first report of T. evansi and T. cruzi infection on the health of free-living ocelots and crab-eating foxes. We showed that single T. evansi or T. cruzi infection, as well as coinfection, caused some degree of anemia in all animals, as well as an indirect negative effect on body condition in coatis and crab-eating foxes via anemia indicators and immune investment, respectively. Furthermore, the vigorous immune investment observed in sampled coatis, crab-eating foxes and ocelots infected by T. evansi, T. cruzi and coinfected can be highly harmful to their health. Overall, our results indicate that single and combined infection with T. evansi and T. cruzi represent a severe risk to the health of wild carnivores in the Pantanal region.

The occurrence of Trypanosoma spp. in wild carnivore populations has been intensively investigated during the last decades. However, the impact of these parasites on the health of free-living infected animals has been largely neglected. The Pantanal biome is the world's largest seasonal wetland, harboring a great diversity of species and habitats. This includes 174 species of mammals, of which 20 belong to the order Carnivora. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Trypanosoma evansi and Trypanosoma cruzi infections and coinfections on the health of the most abundant carnivores in the Pantanal: coati (Nasua nasua), crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). We captured 39 coatis, 48 crab-eating foxes, and 19 ocelots. Diagnostic tests showed T. cruzi infection in 7 crab-eating foxes and 5 coatis. Additionally, 7 crab-eating foxes, 10 coatis, and 12 ocelots were positive for T. evansi. We observed coinfections in 9 crab-eating foxes, 8 coatis, and 2 ocelots. This is the first report of T. evansi and T. cruzi infection on the health of free-living ocelots and crab-eating foxes. We showed that single T. evansi or T. cruzi infection, as well as coinfection, caused some degree of anemia in all animals, as well as an indirect negative effect on body condition in coatis and crab-eating foxes via anemia indicators and immune investment, respectively. Furthermore, the vigorous immune investment observed in sampled coatis, crab-eating foxes and ocelots infected by T. evansi, T. cruzi and coinfected can be highly harmful to their health. Overall, our results indicate that single and combined infection with T. evansi and T. cruzi represent a severe risk to the health of wild carnivores in the Pantanal region.

Wildlife depends on specific landscape features to persist. Thus, characterizing the vegetation available in an area can be essential for management. The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a federally endangered, medium‐sized felid adapted to woody vegetation. Quantifying the characteristics of vegetation most suitable for ocelots is essential for their conservation. Furthermore, understanding differences in the selection of sympatric bobcats (Lynx rufus) and coyotes (Canis latrans) can provide insight into the mechanisms of coexistence between species. Because of differences in hunting strategy (cursorial vs. ambush) and differences in use of land cover types between species, these three carnivores may be partitioning their landscape as a function of vegetation structure. Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is a remote sensing platform capable of quantifying the sub‐canopy structure of vegetation. Using LiDAR data, we quantified the horizontal and vertical structure of vegetation cover to assess habitat selection by ocelots, bobcats, and coyotes. We captured and collared 8 ocelots, 13 bobcats, and 5 coyotes in southern Texas from 2017 to 2021. We used step selection functions to determine the selection of vegetation cover at the population and individual level for each species. Ocelots selected for vertical canopy cover and dense vegetation 0–2 m in height. Bobcats selected cover to a lesser extent and had a broader selection, while coyotes avoided under‐story vegetation and selected areas with dense high canopies and relatively open understories. We observed a high degree of variation among individuals that may aid in facilitating intraspecific and interspecific coexistence. Management for ocelots should prioritize vegetation below 2 m and vertical canopy cover. We provide evidence that fine‐scale habitat partitioning may facilitate coexistence between sympatric carnivores. Differences among individuals may enhance coexistence among species, as increased behavioral plasticity of individuals can reduce competition for resources. By combining accurate, fine‐scale measurements derived from LiDAR data with high‐frequency global positioning system locations, we provide a more thorough understanding of the habitat use of ocelots and two sympatric carnivores. We examined habitat selection of ocelots, bobcats, and coyotes using LiDAR‐derived metrics of vegetation structure. We show differences in selection between species as well as extensive variation among individuals of all three species.

ContextMaintaining landscape connectivity for wildlife has become a conservation priority in response to increasing land development and road networks. Roads affect many wildlife populations worldwide, with the distribution and density of roads having negative impacts on gene flow and landscape connectivity.ObjectivesWe aimed to identify areas along roadways that promote movement in a fragmented landscape. Our objective was to gain a deeper understanding of drivers of connectivity in a patchwork landscape of human uses.MethodsWe applied a spatial absorbing Markov chain (SAMC) framework to test hypotheses about landscape connectivity for a federally endangered carnivore, the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). We modeled landscape connectivity for ocelots based on spatio-temporal trends in habitat use, which we derived using telemetry dataset collected 1982–2017. We compared three increasingly restrictive resistance surfaces to predict trends in landscape connectivity.ResultsOcelot avoidance of high-traffic roads (> 5000 cars/day) largely influenced patterns of predicted connectivity. We simulated connectivity between habitat patches and identified highly connected areas of conservation concern due to proximity to high-traffic roads. Connectivity was greatly influenced by ocelot habitat use rather than resistance scenarios. Further, we found no evidence of connectivity between populations of ocelots, indicating isolation within a fragmented landscape.ConclusionOur spatially-explicit results describing landscape connectivity with respect to roads provides critical information needed for strategic placement of wildlife crossing structures. Wildlife crossing structures for resident ocelots should be placed in areas of relatively high conductance near roads with well-connected habitat on both sides of the road. We describe an approach that leverages long-term habitat use data for examining connectivity and improving landscape permeability.