Title
A survey of large mammals in the central Annamite mountains of Laos
Author(s)
Duckworth, JW
Published
1998
Publisher
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR SAUGETIERKUNDE-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MAMMALIAN BIOLOGY
Abstract
Large mammals were surveyed using direct observation in montane Laos during April-May 1996 in little-disturbed evergreen forest in and around the Nakay-Nam Theun National Biodiversity Conservation Area (NBCA). Survey focussed on one road, where low hunting pressure and excellent viewing conditions gave the truest representation of relative species status at any Lao site yet surveyed. More large mammal species have been found there than in some entire NBCAs; the total of 15 species of carnivore is especially noteworthy. Nocturnal contact rates (if lorises are excluded from the comparison) were the highest of any Lao site yet surveyed. Encounter rates by day were also high. Totals of nine Globally Threatened, three Data Deficient and six Nationally At Risk species are of outstanding conservation importance. Many have large populations and some have not otherwise been seen in the field on a recent survey programme in Laos. A few additional species were found on another road where survey conditions were less good. Results from the area, compared with those from lowlands and foothills in southern Laos, suggest the following altitudinal distributions: (I) sympatric species in the genera Petaurista, Rhizomys, and Manis are separated altitudinally; (2) Arctonyx collaris, Paguma larvata, and Herpestes urva are submontane or montane; (3) Nycticebus coucang is commoner in the lowlands than at 1000 m.
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PUB11656