Abstract
Endangered species management is typically informed by an ecological knowledge of a species. Currently, little is known about the distribution and ecology of the Japanese flying squirrel (Pteromys momonga). To provide an effective rapid survey technique for flying squirrels, we used camera trap surveys and determined what methodology (i.e. camera placement, survey length) was most efficient. We placed 154 cameras in trees for 30 days. We detected flying squirrels at 12% of the camera points. The average suitable distance between camera and targeted tree (DCT) was 130 cm (SE: 15.4, range: 90–220). Moreover, flying squirrels were frequently detected on the trunks of taller trees. We found camera trap surveys were an efficient technique for detecting flying squirrels. Approximately 11% of camera points detected flying squirrels within one survey night. Initial detection of flying squirrels at a site occurred within 10 days at 58% of the points. To efficiently detect flying squirrels, we suggest that it is better to aim the camera towards taller trees at a suitable DCT and to conduct surveys for a minimum of 10 days at each site.
Acknowledgements
We thank Drs C.M. Biancardi, W.M. Ford, and T. Ikeda for providing beneficial articles for our study. We are grateful to Drs H. Yanagawa, T. Oshida, M.B. Takada, T. Amano, H. Ogawa, M. Yamagishi, A. Abe, and R. Fujimoto for their helpful comments concerning this study. For supporting with the field survey, we also thank the owner of the pension Suzuran and his family. We acknowledge the invaluable comments of two anonymous reviewers on earlier versions of this manuscript.
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
References
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