Abstract
Abstract: The Amazonian rainforest harbors one of the most diverse mammal faunas found anywhere in the world, although this fauna is still poorly known. Inventories are essential for the understanding of the biology and ecology of species, and provide basic data for conservation. Over 15 years of sampling in the Saracá-Taquera National Forest, we recorded 72 species of small (nonvolant), medium, and large mammals belonging to 30 families in 10 orders. These taxa included 29 species endemic to the Amazon biome, and 14 classified as threatened with extinction. Overall, the mammalian species richness recorded in the present study was equal to or greater than that recorded in other Amazonian studies, reflecting high levels of diversity on a biogeographic scale. This reinforces the importance of this national forest for the maintenance of the region's mammalian fauna. Some of the species were recorded in the region for the first time, thus extending their known geographic distribution.
Highlights
Recent studies (Wilson and Reeder 2005; Paglia et al 2012) have estimated that approximately 700 mammal species occur in Brazil, of which, at least 399 are present in the Amazon biome
The study area is located within the Saracá-Taquera National Forest (STNF), which is distributed among the neighboring municipalities of Oriximiná, Faro, and Terra Santa, in northwestern Pará (01°40’ S, 56°00’ W), a state in northern Brazil
STNF area is rich in bauxite, which is being mined by a consortium of companies known as Mineração Rio do Norte (MRN), which operates on a small number of the plateaus found within the area of the national forest
Summary
Recent studies (Wilson and Reeder 2005; Paglia et al 2012) have estimated that approximately 700 mammal species occur in Brazil, of which, at least 399 are present in the Amazon biome. This is the most diverse mammalian fauna of any equivalent region in South America. Larger-bodied mammals disperse over longer distances and are important in the acquisition and redistribution of nutrients and seeds within the landscape, as well as participating in the control of populations through predation (Asquith et al 1999; Fragoso et al 2006; Stoner et al 2007). Some mammals are considered to be bioindicator species, given their specific habitat and microhabitat preferences or requirements (Vieira and Monteiro-Filho 2003; Cullen-Jr. et al 2005; Pardini and Umetsu 2006; Morrison et al 2007)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
