• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.1-14
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• 2021

Excessive development and urbanization have destroyed animal, plant, habitats and reduced biodiversity. In order to preserve species diversity, habitat prediction studies are have been conducted at home and overseas using various modeling techniques. This study was conducted to suggest optimal habitat modeling research by comparing HSI and MaxEnt, which are widely used among habitat modeling techniques. The study was targeted on the endangered species of Prionailurus bengalensis in nearby areas (5460.35km2) including Cheonan City, and the same data were used for analysis to compare those models. According to the HSI analysis, Prionailurus bengalensis's habitat probability was 74.65% for less than 0.5 and 25.34% for more than 0.5 and the top 30% were forest (99.07%). MaxEnt's analysis showed that 56.22% of those below 0.5 and 43.79% of those above 0.5 were found to have a high explanatory power of 78.3% of AUC. The Paired Wilcoxn test, which evaluated the significance of thoes models, confirmed that the mean difference between the two models was statistically significant (p<0.05). Analysis of the differences in the results of those models using the matrix table shows that score 24.43% HSI and MaxEnt was accordance,12.44% of the 0.0 to 0.2 section, 7.22% of the 0.2 to 0.4 section, 2.73% of the 0.4 to 0.6 section, 1.96% of the 0.6 to 0.8, and 0.08% of the 0.9 to 1.0. To verify where the score difference appears, the result values of those models were reset to values from 1 to 5 and overlaid. Overlapping analysis resulted in 30.26% of the Strongly agree values, 56.77% of the agree values, and 11.92% of the Disagree values. The places where the difference in scores occurs were analyzed in the order of forest (45.23%), agricultural land (34.57%), and urbanization area (7.65%). This confirmed that the analysis of the same target species within the same target site also has differences in forecasts depending on the modelling method. Therefore, a novel analysis method combining the advantages of each modeling in habitat prediction studies should be developed, and future study may be used to select Prionailurus bengalensis and species-protected areas and species protection areas in the future. Further research is judged to require higher accuracy studies through the use of various modeling techniques and on-site verification.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.353-359
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• 2010

Nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of 19 leopard cats (Prionailurus bangalensis euptilura) obtained from Seoul grand park zoo in South Korea were determined for analysing genetic diversity. In the leopard cats, 3 haplotypes of the partial cytochrome b sequences (603 base-pairs, bp) were identified. Haplotypes obtained from those genes showed existences of at least 3 maternal lineages of leopard cats in Korea. Tamura-Nei nucleotide distance among 3 haplotypes were 0.00. Molecular phylogenetic tree showed the similar clustering of haplotypes for genes. Meanwhile, no individual variations within the leopard cats in S. Korea. Genetic surveillance system of leopard cats in S. Korea is warranted for maintaining biological conservation.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.239-242
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• 2017

Although camera traps have been widely used to understand the abundance of wildlife in recent decades, the effort has been restricted to small sub-set of wildlife which can mark-and-recapture. The Random Encounter Model shows an alternative approach to estimate the absolute abundance from camera trap detection rate for any animals without the need for individual recognition. Our study aims to examine the feasibility and validity of the Random Encounter Model for the density estimation of endangered leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) in Maekdo riparian park, Busan, South Korea. According to the model, the estimated leopard cat density was $1.76km^{-2}$ (CI 95%, 0.74-3.49), which indicated 2.46 leopard cats in $1.4km^2$ of our study area. This estimate was not statistically different from the previous leopard cat population count ($2.33{\pm}0.58$) in the same area. As follows, our research demonstrated the application and usefulness of the Random Encounter Model in density estimation of unmarked wildlife which helps to manage and protect the target species with a better understanding of their status.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.51-60
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• 2014

This study was carried out to analyze the home ranges of three medium-sized mammals(Nyctereutes procyonoides, Prionailurus bengalensis, and Meles leucurus) inhabiting the Sobaeksan National Park, Korea. Three individuals of each species were captured using live traps(Tomahawk live trap 210A) and radio tracking was conducted from June 2012 to May 2014 using VHF and CDMA methods. We determined that the home range of N. procyonoides was $6.53{\pm}6.66km^2$(MCP 100), $3.39{\pm}4.73km^2$(FK 95), and $0.48{\pm}0.62km^2$(FK 50), that of P. bengalensis was $7.13{\pm}5.61km^2$(MCP 100), $7.77{\pm}3.91km^2$(FK 95), and $1.88{\pm}0.96km^2$(FK 50), and that of M. leucurus was $1.77{\pm}1.82km^2$(MCP 100), $3.17{\pm}4.52km^2$(FK 95), and $0.63{\pm}0.87km^2$(FK 50). The home ranges of both N. procyonoides and P. bengalensis were greater than that of M. leucurus, and moreover, both were larger than $6km^2$(P. bengalensis>N. procyonoides). The results also showed that for each species, 1.2~4.4% of the home range overlapped with that of the other two species and that this overlap occurred in the vicinity of a water system.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.322-332
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• 2012

The objectives of this paper were to investigate home range, habitat selection, and threat factors of leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) living in rural area of Korea. The results based on radio tracking of three leopard cats (two males and one female) can be summarized as follows. First, the average home range of leopard cats were $2.64{\pm}1.99km^2$ (Kernel 95) and $3.69{\pm}1.34km^2$ (MCP 100), and the average size of core areas was $0.64{\pm}0.47km^2$ (Kernel 50). The home range of a male leopard cat that radio-tracked in winter was the largest ($5.19km^2$, MCP 100). Second, the Johnson's habitat selection model based on the Jacobs index showed that leopard cats preferred meadows and paddy fields avoiding forest covers at the second level, whereas they preferred meadows adjacent to streams and avoided paddy fields at the third level. Finally, roadkill could be prime threat factor for the cat population. Therefore, habitats dominated by paddy fields, stream corridors with paved roads, and human settlements with insufficient forest patches could threaten the long-term viability of leopard cat populations. Thus the habitat managements for the leopard cat conservation should focus on the prevention of road-kill and the installation of wildlife passages in rural highways adjacent to stream corridors.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.693-697
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• 2010

This study, conducted with four leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis), used time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) to analyze estradiol and progesterone concentrations in fecal samples. We measured fecal samples taken during estrus period, diestrus period, pregnancy and non-pregnancy period. During estrus (February), the mean minimum estradiol concentration was $4.02{\pm}1.9$ng/g, and the mean maximum was $86.01{\pm}35.2$ng/g (dry fecal weight). During diestrus (November), the mean minimum estradiol concentration was $4.42{\pm}1.32$ng/g and mean maximum was $15.62{\pm}6.48$ng/g (dry fecal weight). Midgestation (April), the mean minimum progesterone concentration was $427{\pm}24.49$ng/g and the mean maximum was $1490{\pm}265.27$ng/g. During non-pregnancy (November), the mean minimum progesterone concentration was $71.25{\pm}29.61$ng/g and the mean maximum was $291.75{\pm}90.30$ng/g. These results suggest that steroid hormone analysis of feces using TR-FIA is a valid method for noninvasively determining ovarian activity associated with estrus and pregnancy in leopard cats. This study will contribute to building breeding management and reproductive plans for endangered species.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.61-71
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• 2023

As differences in the impact of each species on a spatial scale occur, analysis at the landscape scale is necessary to evaluate the impact of a development project. In previous studies, the Incidence Function Model (IFM) based on meta population theory was used to analyze the impact of species on the environment that changes according to urban development. However, since the model was required at least 10 occupied areas, it is difficult to use it for species that are difficult to monitor such as endangered species. Therefore, we proposed the Incidence Function Model (IFM) using species distribution model to fill the species data. In addition, we reviewed whether the developed model can be used in environmental impact assessment. As a result of the analysis, the minimum occupancy of Prionailurus bengalensis on urban development decreased to 56.5% and the possibility of survival to 28.7%. We confirmed that It rapidly decreased from the reference points of 230 and 70habitats through analysis of the meta-population capacity according to the decrease in the number of habitats. These results can be assessing the environment impact of each species on habitat loss. And it can support decision-making on the minimum number and area of habitat for species protection. This study is expected to be used as basic data for environment impact assessment on before and after development projects and mitigation measures plans, thereby increasing the effectiveness of reduction plans.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.145-155
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• 2011

We surveyed diversity, distribution and diversity change of mammalian species in forests of the Nature Environment Research Park (Survey Area I; reservoir and surrounding forests, II; human habitat and surrounding forests and III; mountain forests) in Gangwon Province from 2004 to 2008. During our study, endangered species like Peromys volans, Lutra lutra and Prionailurus bengalensis were present in the surveyed areas. Diversity of mammalian species tends to be a little higher in the Survey Area I and III than the Survey Area II. Annual species diversity was a little higher in 2006, and then there was a little reduction from 2007. However, there was higher reduction in the number of individuals from 2007. Therefore, our results indicate that specific measures are needed for preservation of mammalian habitats to maintain the species diversity and the number of mammalian individuals.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.3-13
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• 2010

The Tsushima leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus, a small felid, inhabits only the Tsushima Islands in Japan. Previous studies of the Tsushima leopard cat revealed that natural factors; including sex, reproductive activity, season, and prey distribution and abundance affect leopard cat home range variation and habitat use. In this study, we focused on clarifying how anthropogenic factors influenced home range variation and habitat use of a male Tsushima leopard cat living near a suburban area in January, March, May and September 2005 using radio-tracking. The home range size (100% MCP) of this cat was $0.78\;{\pm}\;0.26\;km^2$ (mean ${\pm}$ SD, n = 4 tracking sessions) across the whole study period. However, the cat did not use all parts of its home range uniformly; rather it used some habitat types selectively. The cat avoided agriculture areas and residential areas in all of the tracking-sessions. On the other hand, the cat showed a weak preference for artificial structures and a strong preference for baiting sites in January and March, while it avoided them in May, and no baiting site was included in its home range in September. These results suggest that anthropogenic factors influenced the ranging patterns and habitat use of the leopard cat living near a suburban area. Artificial structures might provided good resting spaces for the cat in bad weather. When the density of its main prey was low in the winter, the cat tended to rely on artificial prey and had a small home range size.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2013

This study investigated mammal fauna in the sabbatical area of Mt. Unmun, Kyungsangbuk-do from December, 2007 to September, 2009. A total of 24 species belonging to 11 Families, 6 Orders, were identified in the survey area. Dominant species were as follows: Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis), Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus), Korean mole (Mogera wogura), and East Asian field mouse (Apodemus peninsulae). Especially, four Legal Protection Species specified as National Monument (NM) and Endangered Species (ES) found in this survey were as follows: Flying squirrel (Petromys volans; NM #328 and ES level II), Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra; NM #330 and ES level I), Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis; ES level II) and Marten (Martes flavigula; ES level II). These results on the geographical distribution of various mammal species and Legal Protection Species indicate that this area is a valuable ecosystem for native mammal species. On the other hand, many feral cats were also found and specified as a management species. The results of this study show that further long-term investigation and management plan are needed to protect against harmful species and maintain the native ecosystem of Mt. Unmun.