Open AccessPredicting the potential distribution of striped hyena Hyaena hyaena in Iran
Author(s) -
Oussama Bouarakia,
Christiane Denys,
Violaine Nicolas,
Touria Benazzou,
Abdelaziz Benhoussa
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
zoology and ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.246
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 2165-8013
pISSN - 2165-8005
DOI - 10.35513/21658005.2019.2.6
Subject(s) - geography , habitat , ecology , distribution (mathematics) , hyena , biology , mathematics , mathematical analysis
Predictive potential distribution modelling is crucial in outlining habitat usage and establishing conservation management priorities. Species distribution models estimate the relationship between species occurrences and environmental and spatial characteristics. Herein, we used maximum entropy distribution modelling (MaxEnt) for predicting the potential distribution of the striped hyena Hyaena hyaena in the entire country of Iran, using a number of occurrence records (i.e. 118) and environmental variables derived from remote sensing. The MaxEnt model had a high success rate according to test AUC scores (0.97). Our results are congruent with previous studies, suggesting that mountainous regions in northern and western Iran and the plain regions in central and eastern Iran are suitable habitats for H. hyaena.