Diel Activity Pattern of Mousedeer in Response to Human Activity at Kinarut Eco Forest Park

Abstract

The fragmented lowland forest of Kinarut Eco Forest Park, which serves as a habitat for mousedeer (Tragulus spp.), is heavily impacted by human activity, though the extent of its impact on this species remains unexplored. This study conducted a camera trap survey at 20 systematically established sampling points along local gravel roads and forest trails to examine the diel activity pattern of mousedeer in response to human activity on these pathways. Over 1,275 nights of camera trapping, 43 independent detections of mousedeer and 302 independent sightings of humans were documented. The present findings validated that mousedeer exhibited a nocturnal behavior, while humans showed a diurnal behavior, contributing to a very low similarity in their diel activity patterns along local human pathways (∆₁ = 0.1086). The observed temporal partitioning between humans and mousedeer highlights the ability of this terrestrial mammal species to adapt to disturbances resulting from frequent human visits to these pathways, as well as the prominent impact of high human activity levels, which have triggered the shift from crepuscular to nocturnal behavior in mousedeer within the fragmented lowland forest ecosystem of this reserve.