MEDIUM- AND LARGE-SIZED MAMMALS IN A PROTECTED AREA OF ATLANTIC FOREST IN THE NORTHEAST OF BRAZIL

Abstract

This is the first survey of medium- and large-sized mammals for the Private Reserve of Natural Heritage Complex (RPPN) Serra Bonita, in southern Bahia, Brazil. RPPN Serra Bonita is one of the largest private reserves in the Central Corridor of the Atlantic Forest. This study aims to fill a knowledge gap in this area by describing the medium- and large-sized mammals species richness observed in the RPPN Serra Bonita. We installed 19 camera traps for two consecutive years, from November 2010 to November 2012 (sample effort 13.870 camera-days). In addition, some species were recorded using tracks and/or direct observations in the field. We recorded 22 species, including endemic and threatened species, distributed in seven orders: Cetartiodactyla, Carnivora, Cingulata, Lagomorpha, Pilosa, Primates and Rodentia. The crab-eating fox, Cerdocyon thous, was the most recorded species. We also recorded some threatened species, like Leopardus guttulus (VU) and Sapajus xanthosternos (CR). Species richness at RPPN Serra Bonita was higher than that found in other studies conducted in the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia. The Clench model had a good fit with 96% of the expected mammals recorded in the reserve. This suggests that RPPN Serra Bonita protects a high species richness of medium- and large-sized mammals. Therefore, this small area should be considered a hotpoint within the Atlantic Forest hotspot.