Habitat use and diet of the bear cuscus Ailurops ursinus (Temminck, 1824) in various forest ecosystem types in South Sulawesi

Abstract

The population of the bear cuscus Ailurops ursinus (Temminck, 1824), an arboreal marsupial endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, and its satellite islands, is declining rapidly due to poaching and habitat loss, even in protected areas. However, despite concerns over its persistence, little is actually known of this secretive species. This research investigated the characteristics of the selected habitats and diet of the bear cuscus in four ecosystem types (lowland non-dipterocarp forest, lowland limestone forest, lowland monsoon deciduous forest, lowland monsoon evergreen forest). Habitat use data were collected through direct encounters and indirect observations (tracks, signs, secondary information), and analyzed using a chi-square goodness-of-fit test. Habitat characteristics and diet availability were determined using vegetation analysis. Diet data were obtained using direct observations, feed remains, and interviews. The lowland non-dipterocarp forest ecosystem was used significantly more by bear cuscus populations. Its habitats across the four ecosystem types had similar environmental conditions. Fifty-five plant species, eaten mostly as young leaves and leaf buds, encompassed the bear cuscus' diet, with the Moraceae family being the most representative. Considering the ubiquity of Moraceae in the bear cuscus' habitat, these results highlight the impact unchecked deforestation will continue to have on lowland Indonesia and its endemic species.