The ecology of the banded civet (Hemigalus derbyanus) in Southeast Asia with implications for mesopredator release, zoonotic diseases, and conservation

Habitat loss and degradation threaten forest specialist wildlife species, but some generalist mesopredators exploit disturbed areas and human-derived food, which brings them into closer contact with humans. Mesopredator release is also important for human health for known zoonotic disease reservoirs, such as Asian civets (Viverridae family), since this group includes the intermediator species for the SARS-CoV-1 outbreak. Here we use camera trapping to evaluate the habitat associations of the widespread banded civet (Hemigalus derbyanus) across its range in Southeast Asia. At the regional scale, banded civet detections among published studies were positively associated with forest cover and negatively associated with human population. At the local scale (within a landscape), hierarchical modeling of new camera trapping showed that abundance was negatively associated with forest loss and positively associated with distance to rivers. These results do not support mesopredator release and suggest a low likelihood overlap with humans in degraded habitats and, therefore, a low risk of zoonotic disease transmission from this species in the wild. We also estimate that banded civet distribution has contracted to under 21% of its currently recognized IUCN Red List range, only 12% of which falls within protected areas, and a precipitous recent decline in population size. Accordingly, we suggest the banded civet's Red List status should be re-evaluated in light of our findings.

Automated summary

Habitat loss and degradation pose a threat to forest specialist wildlife, but some generalist mesopredators exploit disturbed areas and human-derived food, bringing them into closer contact with humans. In this study, camera trapping was used to evaluate the habitat associations of the banded civet in Southeast Asia. The results showed a positive association between banded civet detections and forest cover at the regional scale, while at the local scale, abundance was negatively associated with forest loss and positively associated with distance to rivers. These findings suggest a low risk of zoonotic disease transmission from banded civets in degraded habitats.