The first recorded activity pattern for the Sunda stink-badger Mydaus javanensis (Mammalia: Carnivora: Mephitidae) using camera traps

The Sunda stink-badger Mydaus javanensis is a small carnivore inhabiting the Southeast Asian islands of Borneo, Java, Sumatra, and the Natuna Archipelago. Documented sightings are relatively common, yet the species' behavioural ecology remains poorly understood. Whilst the species is reported to be broadly nocturnal, its detailed activity pattern has never been quantified. This study analysed photographic events from a large scale, long-term camera trapping study to assess times of activity for the Sunda stink-badger. The study took place within the lowland riparian forest corridor of the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (LKWS) in the Northeast Bornean state of Sabah. Through 2010-2015, 24,506 potential trap nights collected 2,268 Sunda stink-badger images across 470 unique events. Sunda stink-badger activity pattern was modelled using kernel density estimation, and indicated a highly nocturnal activity pattern with no detected activity during the diurnal hours, consistent with previous records. All photographs were taken between 1839 hours and 0627 hours, and modelling indicated two clear peaks in nocturnal activity, the first at 2100 hours and the second at 0500 hours. Overlap in activity patterns was found to be high (>= 80%) between wet and dry seasons, and also between moon phases, indicating a lack of seasonal or lunar effects on Sunda stink-badger activity. An encounter rate of 1.92 unique Sunda stink-badger events per 100 potential trap nights was recorded for the LKWS. This encounter rate was lower than those found in other regional studies with lower levels of anthropogenic disturbance, suggesting extensive anthropogenic disturbance may pose a potential negative impact to the species. Whilst activity patterns derived from camera trapping are restricted to movement through the environment, these results have established a baseline for Sunda stink-badger activity patterns within a fragmented habitat subjected to high levels of anthropogenic disturbance, and have improved the basic ecological understanding of the species.