Subsidies for a poorly known endemic semiarid biome of Brazil: non-volant mammals of an eastern region of Caatinga

Alexandra M R Bezerra,Adriano S Cunha,Cibele R Bonvicino,Ana Lazar

doi:10.1186/1810-522x-53-16

Alexandra M R Bezerra, Adriano S Cunha + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1810-522x-53-16

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Abstract

The mammalian fauna of the eastern Caatinga, a Brazilian semiarid biome, was surveyed in the dry and wet seasons aiming to contribute to the knowledge of this poorly known region. Complementary live-trap survey methods were employed for sampling small non-volant mammals and transects along roads for medium and large mammals. Seventeen mammalian species were recorded, with five new records for Sergipe state, two being endemic to Caatinga. More individuals were captured in the dry season, although species number was the same for both seasons. Medium- and large-sized mammalian species were not encountered in the region, which was also true for some small-sized species hunted for consumption. These findings corroborate the importance of using complementary methods for sampling small non-volant mammals in the Caatinga and indicate that the mammalian fauna of this region, suffering a severe anthropogenic pressure, requires strong measures for its preservation.

Highlights

The mammalian fauna of the eastern Caatinga, a Brazilian semiarid biome, was surveyed in the dry and wet seasons aiming to contribute to the knowledge of this poorly known region
Its largest portion extends across northeastern Brazil, from eastern Maranhão state to the south of Bahia state, as well as regions of northern Minas Gerais state, southeast of Brazil, along the São Francisco River (IBGE 2004a)
We provide karyotypic data for small mammals, with comments on their taxonomy and geographic distributions, including new records for Sergipe state

Summary

Introduction

The mammalian fauna of the eastern Caatinga, a Brazilian semiarid biome, was surveyed in the dry and wet seasons aiming to contribute to the knowledge of this poorly known region. Its largest portion extends across northeastern Brazil, from eastern Maranhão state to the south of Bahia state, as well as regions of northern Minas Gerais state, southeast of Brazil, along the São Francisco River (IBGE 2004a). This biome supports a poorly understood biodiversity but is presently endangered by several government developments (MIN 2013). The present study contributes to the knowledge of the poorly known mammalian fauna of the central-eastern region of the Caatinga. Implications for the conservation status of the mammalian fauna of the Caatinga are discussed

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