First density estimation of two sympatric small cats: Leopardus colocolo and Leopardus geoffroyi, in a shrubland area of central Argentina

Abstract

Geoffroy's and Pampas cats are small felids with large distribution ranges in South America. A camera trap survey was conducted in the Espinal of central Argentina to estimate abundance based on capture—recapture data. For density estimations we used both non-spatial methods and spatially explicit capture—recapture models (SECR). For Geoffroy's cat we also obtained density estimates from 8 radio-tracked individuals. Based on the data on 10 Geoffroy's cats and 7 Pampas cats, non-spatial methods produced density ranges of 16.21–21.94 indiv./100 km2 and 11.34–17.58 indiv./100 km2, respectively. The density estimated using SECR models was 45 animals/100 km2 for Geoffroy's cat, whereas we were unable to produce a reliable estimate for the Pampas cat. The SECR estimate for Geoffroy's cat is more similar to that obtained from telemetry data (58.82 cats/100 km2). In agreement with the hypothesis of its greater adaptability, Geoffroy's cat was more abundant than the Pampas cat.