Distribution and Habitat Suitability of the Malabar Slender Loris (<em>Loris lydekkerianus malabaricus</em>) in the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, India
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Understanding how mammals respond to climate change is critical for predicting future biogeographic shifts and implementing effective conservation strategies. In this study, we applied MaxEnt modeling to identify key determinants of the distribution of the Malabar slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus malabaricus), a nocturnal primate endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Using 416 slender loris sightings, spatially thinned at 0.5 km intervals to reduce spatial autocorrelation, we evaluated 19 present bioclimatic variables alongside 10 additional climatic variables. From these, 14 predictor variables with Pearson correlation values above 0.75 were selected for analysis. Future distribution models employed bioclimatic projections from the CNRM-CM5 global climate models under three Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs): 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5. The current distribution models identified 23 km² as suitable habitat for slender lorises, with 3 km² suitable for males and 12 km² for females. Projections for 2070 under RCP 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5 scenarios predict habitat reductions of 52%, 13%, and 8%, respectively, signaling significant vulnerability under changing climatic conditions. Precipitation of the warmest quarter, precipitation of the driest month, distance from roads, and elevation were identified as the most influential variables shaping the species' distribution. This study underscores the pressing need for targeted conservation efforts to mitigate habitat loss and fragmentation, particularly in the context of climate change. By providing a detailed analysis of current and future habitat suitability, it lays the groundwork for similar predictive studies on nocturnal small mammals. As climate change accelerates, the integration of species-specific ecological insights and advanced modeling techniques will be vital in guiding conservation actions and preserving biodiversity in vulnerable ecosystems like the Western Ghats.