Volume 28, No. (6), 2018 (December)
UPDATING SPATIAL INFORMATION OF 27 MAMMAL SPECIES IN NEPAL
H. B. Katuwal , H. P. Sharma , P. J. L. Shaner , R. Gurung , V. Thapa , T. G. Magar , T. B. Gurung , K. , Parajuli , M. B. Gurung , H. Basnet , S. Koirala , M. S. Ghimire , S. Yadav , J. L. Belant, K. Shah Small Mammals Conservation, Research Foundation, Kathmandu, Nepal; Bird Conservation Nepal, Lazimpat
1, 2, 34, 5, 6* 62, 32, 3 3 7 H. B. Katuwal, H. P. Sharma, P. J. L. Shaner, R. Gurung, V. Thapa, T. G. Magar, T. B. Gurung, K. 4 41, 4 1 3 8 92, 10 Parajuli, M. B. Gurung, H. Basnet, S. Koirala, M. S. Ghimire, S. Yadav, J. L. Belant, K. Shah 1 2 Small Mammals Conservation, Research Foundation, Kathmandu, Nepal; Bird Conservation Nepal, Lazimpat, 34
1 Kathmandu, Nepal; Friends of Bird, Kathmandu, Nepal; Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University,
5 Taiwan; Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan; Bird Education Society,
10 University, USA; Natural History Museum, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Page Number(s):
1735-1745
Published Online First:
December 01, 2018
Publication Date:
December 01, 2018
ABSTRACT
Information on species distribution range is a prerequisite for setting conservation strategies. Conservation efforts in Nepal have been focused on flagship species, such as Bengal Tiger ( Pantheratigris) , Asian Elephant (Elephasmaximus) and Greater One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinocerosunicornis) . By contrast, distribution data and conservation efforts for other mammalian species are scarce. Here we documented the spatial locations of 27 mammal species based on direct sightings and photographic evidence from 70 m to 4,800 m of elevation across Nepal. We mapped their geographic distributions, delineated their elevation ranges and summarized the potential threats within their distribution ranges. We observed expanded elevation range forc. 30% of the 27 species ( 8 species), with the most noticeable upward expansion of the Common Palm Civet (Paradoxurushermaphroditus) from <1,500 m to 2,990 m, and downward expansion of the Fawn-colored Mouse (Muscervicolor) from >1,150 m to 200 m. These updated, high-quality spatial information on a subset of Nepalsdiverse mammalian fauna, highlight new opportunities to study the effects of climate change on mammals in the Himalayan region. and CsorbasMouse-eared Myotis (Myotis csorbai)
Keywords:
altitudinal distribution, geographic distribution, range shift, threatened species, wildlife.