The Spatiotemporal Distribution Patterns and Coexistence Mechanisms of Two Musk Deer Species in Mt. Gongga, Sichuan Province, China

Elucidating the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of closely related sympatric species is essential for understanding niche partitioning dynamics. The forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) and alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) extensively co-occur across the southeastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, yet their coexistence mechanisms remain unclear. Based on a decade-long dataset (2012–2021) collected from 493 infrared cameras deployed in Gongga Mountain National Nature Reserve, this study integrated MaxEnt modeling, kernel density estimation, and niche overlap analysis to investigate their spatiotemporal distribution patterns. Spatially, the two species exhibited strong geographic consistency and similar ecological preferences for climate and vegetation factors. Both species shared an elevational range (2870–4572 m ASL) with no clear segregation, likely due to climate-driven forest line shifts. In contrast, temporal partitioning was pronounced: M. berezovskii was mostly nocturnal, while M. chrysogaster was primarily diurnal, with both showing seasonal activity adjustments. These findings highlight temporal niche differentiation as a key coexistence strategy and emphasize the necessity of incorporating geographic variation in habitat adaptation into conservation frameworks.