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Understanding predator-prey coexistence mechanisms is essential for conserving endemic species in montane ecosystems. Galliformes serve as critical ecological indicator species, yet their populations are declining globally due to habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic pressures. Elliot’s pheasant (Syrmaticus ellioti, Swinhoe, 1872), a Galliformes species endemic to China, is primarily distributed south of the Yangtze River. However, its coexistence mechanisms with sympatric predators remain undocumented. Here, using six years (2019–2024) of camera-trap data from 90 stations in Jiemuxi National Nature Reserve, Hunan Province, Southwest China, we employed a MaxEnt model and kernel density estimation to investigate spatiotemporal coexistence mechanisms between Elliot’s pheasant and its primary predator, the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis, Kerr, 1792). Across 36,946 camera-days, we obtained 227 independent detections of Elliot’s pheasant and 82 of the leopard cat. Spatial niche analysis revealed high overlap (Schoener’s D = 0.769; Hellinger’s I = 0.952). Both species exhibit similar preferences for main environmental variables. Conversely, significant temporal niche segregation occurred: Elliot’s pheasant displayed diurnal bimodal activity, whereas the leopard cat was strictly nocturnal, resulting in low overlap (Δ₄ = 0.379, p < 0.01). Critically, during Elliot’s pheasant’s breeding season, increased temporal overlap with the leopard cat (Δ₁ = 0.479, p < 0.01) suggested that reproductive behaviors elevate predation risk. Our findings demonstrate that temporal niche partitioning serves as the primary coexistence mechanism, while spatial niche overlap and behavioral adaptations under predation pressure drive dynamic predator-prey interactions. This provides a scientific foundation for targeted conservation strategies and predator management of these threatened Galliformes. Full article

The willingness to pay for the protection of rare and endangered species is information vital to the formulation of biodiversity protection strategies. Accordingly, this study used the contingent valuation method to evaluate the protection of Elliot’s pheasant (Syrmaticus ellioti) in Qianjiangyuan National Park in Zhejiang, China. A questionnaire was administered to the residents of 19 villages in the towns of Qixi, Hetian, Changhong, and Suzhuang to examine their willingness to pay for the conservation of Elliot’s pheasant. A logit model was adopted to calculate the monetary existence value of the species. The results showed that 38.1% of the respondents are willing to pay CNY 4.025 per month for the protection of Elliot’s pheasant and that the total willingness payment per year is CNY 179,312. This willingness is influenced mainly by gender, education level, income level, and awareness regarding the protection of the species, which all have a significant positive correlation with willingness. The male respondents refuse to pay for protection fees, whereas respondents with high education levels, incomes, and awareness of the protection of endangered species are more willing to protect Elliot’s pheasant. Among the respondents, 45.30%, 38.46%, and 28.21% are unwilling to pay for the protection of the species because of income constraints, poor awareness of species conservation, and perceptions regarding the role of government, respectively. The government should increase subsidies for conservation and guide the re-employment of residents as protectors of biological diversity in the study area to increase their incomes. It should also strengthen public awareness regarding biodiversity and nationally protected animals. Full article