Relative abundance and activity patterns of terrestrial mammals in Pacuare Nature Reserve, Costa Rica

Stephanny Arroyo-Arce,Roberto Salom-Perez,Ian Thomson,Carlos Fernandez

doi:10.22458/urj.v9i1.1673

Abstract

Located in Costa Rica, Pacuare Nature Reserve has a long established history of wildlife monitoring programs primarily focused on species of nesting marine turtles and the Agami herons (Agamia agami) found within the reserve. Our research represents the first assessment on the local terrestrial mammal populations. Data was collected by using seven camera trap stations distributed within the boundaries of the reserve. From April 2015 to March 2016, and after a total of 1 643 camera trap nights, we were able to identify 11 terrestrial mammalian species distributed in six orders and nine families. The most abundant species was the common opossum (Didelphis marsupialis), followed by the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). A noticeably absent species, otherwise common throughout the area, was the Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata). Our results are similar to those from other protected areas in the Northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.

Highlights

RESUMEN: Abundancia relativa y patrones de actividad de los mamíferos terrestres en la Reserva Natural Pacuare, Costa Rica
After a total of 1 643 camera trap nights, we were able to identify 11 terrestrial mammalian species distributed between six orders and nine families (Table 1)
Terrestrial mammal assemblage documented in the reserve were similar to those reported in other protected areas located along the Northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, including Tortuguero National Park

Summary

Introduction

RESUMEN: Abundancia relativa y patrones de actividad de los mamíferos terrestres en la Reserva Natural Pacuare, Costa Rica. Entre el periodo abril 2015-marzo 2016, y después de 1 643 noches de muestreo, identificamos 11 especies de mamíferos terrestres distribuidos en siete órdenes y nueve familias. Wildlife monitoring has proven to be an essential tool for assessing the condition of ecosystems. In the Pacuare Nature Reserve wildlife monitoring has focused mainly on the nesting population of marine turtles (Cuskelly, 2012; Sarmiento-Ramírez et al, 2014; Rivas, Fernández & Marco, 2015a; Rivas, Santidrián, Diéguez & Marco, 2015b). We collected baseline information on species richness of mammals, as well as information on relative abundance and activity patterns of some terrestrial species

Methods

Results

Conclusion