Abstract: Species coexistence is a core topic in community ecology and biodiversity conservation research. To explore the temporal and spatial niche differentiation and the coexistence mechanisms among sympatric pheasant species, we conducted a camera trap survey from September 2022 to October 2023 in the Fujian Liangye Mountain National Nature Reserve. We focused on three sympatrically distributed pheasant species. Lophura nycthemera, Bambusicola thoracica and Arborophila gingica. We used kernel density estimation, Jacobs selectivity index (JSI), and relative abundance index to analyze daily and monthly activity rhythms, selection of activity periods, and seasonal relative abundance index, respectively. Pianka’s index was used to assess spatial overlap among the three species. The results showed a generally high degree of temporal overlap among the three species, while their activity peaks did not completely overlap. Their monthly activity patterns followed a bimodal trend with similar peak periods. A. gingica exhibited greater temporal differentiation from the other species during the warm season. All the three species preferred morning hours during the warm season and showed increased activity during sunrise and sunset in the cold season, likely in response to environmental conditions and human disturbance. Spatially, the three species showed notable avoidance of each other, with the lowest spatial overlap occurring during the warm season. These findings suggest that spatial niche differentiation may be an important mechanism driving the coexistence of the three pheasant species. The study provides important scientific support for the conservation and management of pheasants in southeastern China’s hilly regions.

Key words: camera trap, pheasant, temporal niche, spatial niche, coexistence mechanism