Variations in the abundance of three Parulidae species in the southern portion of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, state of Paraná

Cássius R Santana,Gabriela M Bochio,Luiz Dos Anjos

doi:10.1590/s0001-37652012005000041

Cássius R Santana, Gabriela M Bochio + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0001-37652012005000041

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Abstract

We evaluated the distribution of abundance of three species of warblers in the southern portion of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF): Tropical Parula (Parula pitiayumi), the Golden-Crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) and the White-Rimmed Warbler (Basileuterus leucoblepharus). Three types of forests comprise this region of the Atlantic Forest: seasonal semi-deciduous forest (SF), mixed rain forest (MF) and dense rain forest (DF). These forest types occur at different elevations: SF ranging from 200 to 800 m, MF ranging from 800 to 1,200 m and DF ranging from sea level up to 2,000 m. We used point counts in fifteen study areas distributed in the three forest types. The White-Rimmed Warbler and the Tropical Parula had higher abundances in MF, and their abundance was positively correlated with the elevation. The Golden-Crowned Warbler did not present a significant difference in abundance among the forest types, and no correlation between abundance and elevation was found. We suggest that the difference in the occupancy of the forest strata by the Golden-Crowned Warbler is because this species is more generalist and thus less sensitive to variations in the vegetation structure among the forests types when compared to the other two warbler species.

Highlights

Studies on variations in bird distribution and abundance along elevational and latitudinal gradients are common in the ornithological literature (e.g. Terborgh 1971, 1977)
In this study we analyzed the distribution of abundance of these three Parulidae species in three different forest ecosystems in the southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF), which occupy different elevations: mixed rain forest (MF), dense rain forest (DF) and seasonal semi-deciduous forest (SF)
Regarding the Golden-Crowned Warbler there was no difference in median values of I.P.A. among the forest types (Kruskall-Wallis, H = 3.2, P = 0.20)

Summary

Introduction

Studies on variations in bird distribution and abundance along elevational and latitudinal gradients are common in the ornithological literature (e.g. Terborgh 1971, 1977). Lanning et al (1990) studied the distribution of the Colima Warbler (Vermivora crissalis) and observed variations in population size and habitat occupancy of another three Parulidae species in an elevational gradient between 1,700 and 3,000 m at the border between Mexico and the United States.

Results

Conclusion