Habitat associations and dietary relationships between two genets, Genetta maculata and Genetta cristata

Overview & Synopsis

The rainforest zone of southern Nigeria is inhabited by two species of genets, the Crested Genet (Genetta cristata) and the Common large-spotted Genet (Genetta maculata). The former species is threatened, whereas the latter is widespread and quite abundant. In order to identify the environmental and landscape characteristics which may influence the presence/absence of both Genetta species, we run all the localities of capture for the two species into a logistic regression model (forward stepwise conditional procedure for discrete values). We found that the presence of G. cristata was statistically positively correlated to the presence of primary dry forest and bush-mango plantations inside the forest, and to a less extent secondary dry forest, and primary flooded forest. On the other hand, G. maculata was negatively influenced by the various types of forest. The presence of G. cristata was negatively influenced by the presence of suburban areas, pineapple plantations, bushlands, and oil palm plantations, which had a positive effect on G. maculata. Diet habits were studied by dissection of genet stomachs, and current niche overlaps were evaluated by using Pianka and Czechanowski formulas, and compared with “null models” based on Monte Carlo simulations. Insect remains were dominant in the diet of both species. However, in terms of biomass of the prey items, small mammals accounted for the majority of the diet, and arthropods the second prey source in terms of importance, in both species. The diet of the Crested Genet was similar to that of sympatric Genetta maculata, and the overlap values indicated that there is likely a strong interspecific competition for food among them. This was confirmed by Monte Carlo randomisations procedures.