Rusty-spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus) Classification

The 103.68 km2 Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Mumbai, exists amidst human densities that figure among the highest in the world. The rich biodiversity of SGNP includes the Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus, endemic to India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, and categorised as ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List. Little is known about its ecology and the dynamics of its coexistence with the other small carnivores in SGNP.

We conducted a study with citizen volunteers to explore the diet of the Rusty-spotted Cat and other sympatric small carnivores in SGNP and in the adjoining human-dominated areas of Yeur village, Shivaji Nagar, Dahisar Quarry, and Aarey Milk Colony. After initial training, the volunteers collected scat samples from all forest ranges in SGNP and the surrounding areas outside, following defined protocols. Seventy-eight scat samples were analysed for species assignments using standardised molecular techniques, felid-specific primers, and DNA sequencing, and 24 were identified as of the Rusty-spotted Cat. The contents of the samples were examined under a microscope to identify prey remains.

Results were presented as the mean number of scat samples containing remains of specific taxa with 95% Confidence Intervals. Diet estimated from 22 Rusty-spotted Cat scat samples and 52 samples of other small carnivores revealed rodents to be the major prey of the entire group. However, a higher proportion of Rusty-spotted Cat scat samples had remains of rodents (95%) and reptiles (6%) as compared to samples of other small carnivores, i.e., 79% with rodent remains and none with remains of reptiles. On the other hand, a lower proportion of Rusty-spotted Cat scat samples had remains of insects (14%), plant matter (9%), and birds (5%) than samples of other small carnivores (40% plant matter, 38% insects, 17% birds).

Our results highlight the role of small carnivores, especially Rusty-spotted Cat in regulatory services through pest control.

Mukherjee, Shomita & Gawari, Arati & Pillai, Kartik & Koparde, Pankaj & Karunakaran, P.V. & Khanolkar, Nayan. (2024). Diet of Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus (I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1831) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 16. 25129-25136. 10.11609/jott.8898.16.5.25129-25136.

The Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus is distributed across India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, with India harbouring the larger part of its global population.

During a rapid survey of three abandoned gold mines in Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary in Gadag, Karnataka, India, we found a dead Rusty-spotted Cat in one of them. The identified individual was taken to Gadag Zoo to determine the cause of death. The gut contained a whole partly digested bat (Microchiroptera) of unidentified species.

Our observations suggest that the elusive and little-known Rusty-spotted Cat contributes to this human-made subterranean habitat in various ways. The presence of the Rusty-spotted Cat, a ‘Near Threatened’ and Schedule-I species, in a human-made subterranean habitat demonstrates possible high conservation value of such abandoned subterranean systems and calls for additional research to explore underground ecosystems across the cat’s distribution range.

Manchi, Shirish & Bajpai, Dipika & Mukherjee, Shomita & Haleholi, Suma & Marennavar, Mahesh & Neeralagi, Sangmesh & Ganiger, Prakash & Lamani, Suresh & Kulkarni, Nikhil. (2024). Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus (I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1831) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in the semi-natural subterranean habitat in Karnataka. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 16. 10.11609/jott.9070.16.7.25623-25626.

Small felids play pivotal roles in India's ecosystems, regulating prey populations, facilitating nutrient transfer, and safeguarding critical habitats. Despite their ecological significance, these species receive inadequate conservation attention, contrasting sharply with the focus on larger carnivores. Our review assesses the conservation status of nine native Indian small felids, aiming to consolidate data for improved species conservation and to draw connections with global small carnivore conservation efforts.

Over the last 50 years, data scarcity has impeded comprehensive understanding, hindering the assessment of crucial ecological dynamics. We delve into the factors influencing the distribution and abundance of small cats across India, identifying climate, human disturbances, the presence of large carnivores, topography, and vegetation cover as influential determinants. Notably, trade records reveal a decline in small wild felid trade since 1997, suggesting potentially positive outcomes from enhanced law-enforcement measures. Highlighting the necessity of robust ecological data, particularly pertaining to demographic parameters, prey-predator relationships, and responses to human-induced habitat alterations, we advocate for integrating these insights into conservation strategies.

We stress the urgency of collaborative efforts supported by unwavering political commitment and sustained financial backing to ensure the successful conservation of small felids globally. This review underscores the imperative of filling knowledge gaps, integrating ecological findings into conservation frameworks, and fostering international collaborations to preserve the crucial ecological roles of small felids in terrestrial ecosystems worldwide.

Bandyopadhyay, K.; Banerjee, K.; Mazzamuto, M.V.; Koley, S.; Koprowski, J.L.; Qureshi, Q.; Jhala, Y.
Review of small cat ecology and status within India
2024 Mammal Review