Neotropical Spotted Cat Species Discrimination Using Morphometrics

Abstract

Leopardus cat species identification can be performed using footprints. We performed a discriminant function analysis on a data set of 52 Neotropical Spotted Cats (NSC) individuals from a Brazilian wildlife reserve. We isolated five morphometrics that wildlife biologists can use to identify the author of a track or footprint, i.e. total length, heel pad width, negative space (Lead toe to the front lobe of heel pad length), outer toe area and heel pad area. Our technique properly classified 94.2% of the individuals into the correct species, and 86.5% of cross-validated groups were correctly identified. By relying on measurable variables rather than the observer's ability to identify a species from a footprint, this technique will increase correct identification during track surveys, which will in turn help increase the accuracy of population inventories.

Can Footprints of Small and Medium Sized Felids be Distinguished in the Field? Evidences from Brazil's Atlantic Forest

“…Wildlife biologists using only footprints to confirm species presence in such environments should be aware of this bias and adapt their sampling strategy to minimize it (e.g., use multiple monitoring approaches). Although Bertrand and Morisot [54] used five measurements to differentiate ocelot, oncilla and margay, the authors did not describe the percentage of identification success among species, reporting only the general percentage for all species combined; their results seem to show a clear separation only between small (oncilla and margay) and medium cats (ocelot) (see Fig. 3 in [54]).…”

“…Although Bertrand and Morisot [54] used five measurements to differentiate ocelot, oncilla and margay, the authors did not describe the percentage of identification success among species, reporting only the general percentage for all species combined; their results seem to show a clear separation only between small (oncilla and margay) and medium cats (ocelot) (see Fig. 3 in [54]).…”