Large-sized Mammals Research Articles

Medium and Large-sized Mammals of the Municipality of Pirajuí, São Paulo, Brazil

Mammals play an important ecological role and are related to several ecological processes. The objective of the study was to list medium and large-sized mammals species which occur in the municipality of Pirajuí, SP. The study was carried out in an urban area, roads that run through rural areas and in small fragments of Atlantic Forest. The data were obtained during a period of three years by different methods: direct observation, footprints records and by camera traps. We recorded 18 medium and large-sized mammals species belonging to 13 families and eight orders, representing 40% of medium and large-sized mammals species that occur in the State of São Paulo. Carnivora was the order with the highest number of representatives, with seven species. Thereby, the study provides important data about the occurrence of certain species of mammals in these often-neglected environments, where the lack of knowledge may lead to a future local extinctions.

Mamíferos terrestres de médio e grande porte em uma área de reserva legal na região centro-oeste de Minas Gerais, Brasil

As Reservas Legais (RL) são áreas localizadas dentro de propriedades rurais e contribuem para manutenção da diversidade de espécies de mamíferos, bem como para a movimentação de espécies entre os fragmentos de vegetação. Este trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar a riqueza e analisar a frequência de ocorrência de mamíferos terrestres de médio e grande porte em uma área de RL de 76,5 ha, no município de Pedra do Indaiá, Minas Gerais, Brasil. O período de amostragem foi de 28 meses, com a utilização dos seguintes métodos de coleta: observação direta, indireta e armadilha fotográfica. Foram registradas 25 espécies, distribuídas em sete ordens e 14 famílias. As ordens mais representativas foram Carnivora, Cingulata e Rodentia, e as menos representativas foram Lagomorpha e Didelphimorphia. Das 25 espécies registradas, seis encontram-se ameaçadas de extinção na lista de espécies da fauna ameaçada no estado de Minas Gerais e, quatro na lista de espécies da fauna ameaçada de extinção no Brasil. A presença de animais em alguma categoria de ameaça sugere a necessidade de manutenção da RL, bem como de remanescentes de vegetação nativa na região a fim de manter a qualidade do habitat necessária à persistência das populações e os serviços ecossistêmicos prestados por ela.

Effects of landscape and patch attributes on the functional diversity of medium and large-sized mammals in the Brazilian Cerrado

The Cerrado ecoregion, although threatened, holds an important diversity of medium- and large-sized mammals, which play considerable ecological functions. However, the functional diversity of medium- and large-sized mammals is considerably affected by landscape characteristics. Thus, we inventoried medium- and large-sized mammals in nine patches (natural forest remnants) in the Cerrado ecoregion of central Brazil and investigated the influence of patch and landscape attributes (buffer with 5 km around patch) on their functional diversity. We surveyed these species from August 2016 to January 2017 through camera trapping and active search techniques (tracks, vocalizations, and burrows). Functional diversity was calculated based on body mass, behavior (presence or absence of social behavior), type of locomotion, dietary habits, and environmental sensitivity. For analysis, we divided species into two groups: forest dependent mammals (FDM) and forest non-dependent mammals (NDM). We used Akaike’s information criterion corrected for small sample size to select the models that best explain the functional diversity at the local (patch) and landscape scales. The FDM species were influenced by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and patch size at the patch scale and by mean patch size and edge density at the landscape scale. The NDM were not influenced by patch and landscape scale attributes. Our results indicated that analyses at two scales with the mammal species grouped considering their differences in dependence of forest remnants is a valid approach for evaluating diversity patterns of medium-and large-sized mammals in the Brazilian Cerrado ecoregion.

Species composition and frequency of habitat use by medium and large-sized mammals in the Brazilian Cerrado Biome, State of Tocantins

The Cerrado biome is the second largest natural vegetation type existing in Brazil after the Amazon, covering 91% of the State of Tocantins, with 30% of the territory changed as a result of the expansion of economic development areas. The substitution of natural vegetation means habitat loss on species, and may put the survival of medium and large-sized mammal species under extinction risk. These species represent significant energy demands and high requirements of area within the habitat. This study aims to assess the species composition and the frequency of use of physiognomic types of vegetation by medium and large-sized mammals. The study was conducted from 2001 to 2011 using a set of complementary and alternative techniques in fragments of seven different physiognomic types of vegetation. Fourth-seven medium and large-sized mammals were registered. This record corresponds to 92% of species already described within the biome, and five additional species to those registered in the data base of the State of Tocantins. Fourteen of these species are at certain degree of threat of extinction. The most used physiognomic types of vegetation in terms of canopy cover were Cerradao, Typical Cerrado, Riparian Forest and Dense Cerrado, and the less used were Gallery Forest, Campo Sujo and Vereda.

A preliminary survey of medium and large-sized mammals from Lebu Natural Protected Forest, Southwest Showa, Ethiopia.

This study was conducted to determine the species composition and diversity of medium and large‐sized mammals from Lebu Natural Protected Forest, Ethiopia. Surveys were conducted to record mammals through direct observation and indirect evidence from three habitat types, namely: natural forest, bushland, and riverine forest. A total of 15 mammalian species were recorded. The species recorded were Papio anubis, Chlorocebus aethiops, Tragelaphus scriptus, Canis aureus, Crocuta crocuta, Panthera pardus, Procavia capensis, Colobus guereza, Sylvicapra grimmia, Orycteropus afer, Helogale parvula, Hystrix cristata, Lepus fagani, Potamochoerus larvatus, and Phacochoeus africanus. A total of 223 records of observations were compiled. About 74% of these records (N = 167) were obtained from direct sight, whereas the rest was recorded through indirect evidence. The dominant order recorded was order Primates (57.4%) followed by order Artiodactyla (17.5%) while the least record was order Lagomorpha (1.34%). The species richness varied across the stratified habitat types. However, there is no significant difference in Shannon–Wiener Index values between the habitat types. The species diversity of the study area was H′ = 2.119. The present study area is of great potential area for the conservation of the species. Long‐term detailed studies should be carried out for effective conservation and management initiatives in the study area.

Overpasses intended for human use can be crossed by middle and large-size mammals

Road overpasses cost more than underpasses and can be built for most terrestrial mammals to resolve and/or minimize effects from habitat fragmentation. Many overpasses intended for human activity might also allow wildlife passage. Using digital infrared cameras from 2015 to 2016 in Hokkaido, Japan, we evaluated such use in three overpasses, where two were designed for humans and one for wildlife. Nine mammal species were detected at the three overpasses. Three middle-sized mammals—raccoons (Procyon lotor), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides)—and a large mammal species, the sika deer (Cervus nippon), frequently used all of the overpasses. Our results showed that the overpass designed for wildlife was richer in species than the two overpasses for humans. However, results also showed that there were no significant differences in use among four animal species in the three overpasses. We propose the construction of small overpasses without plants to conserve habitat reconnection of middle-sized to large mammals. Arboreal species’ habitats need structural change with additional of plants.

Epidemiology of capybara-associated Brazilian spotted fever.

BackgroundBrazilian spotted fever (BSF), caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, has been associated with the transmission by the tick Amblyomma sculptum, and one of its main hosts, the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris).MethodsDuring 2015–2019, we captured capybaras and ticks in seven highly anthropic areas of São Paulo state (three endemic and four nonendemic for BSF) and in two natural areas of the Pantanal biome, all with established populations of capybaras.ResultsThe BSF-endemic areas were characterized by much higher tick burdens on both capybaras and in the environment, when compared to the BSF-nonendemic areas. Only two tick species (A. sculptum and Amblyomma dubitatum) were found in the anthropic areas; however, with a great predominance of A. sculptum (≈90% of all ticks) in the endemic areas, in contrast to a slight predominance of A. dubitatum (≈60%) in the nonendemic areas. Tick species richness was higher in the natural areas, where six species were found, albeit with a predominance of A. sculptum (≈95% of all ticks) and environmental tick burdens much lower than in the anthropic areas. The BSF-endemic areas were characterized by overgrowth populations of A. sculptum that were sustained chiefly by capybaras, and decreased populations of A. dubitatum. In contrast, the BSF-nonendemic areas with landscape similar to the endemic areas differed by having lower tick burdens and a slight predominance of A. dubitatum over A.sculptum, both sustained chiefly by capybaras. While multiple medium- to large-sized mammals have been incriminated as important hosts for A. sculptum in the natural areas, the capybara was the only important host for this tick in the anthropic areas.ConclusionsThe uneven distribution of R. rickettsii infection among A. sculptum populations in highly anthropic areas of São Paulo state could be related to the tick population size and its proportion to sympatric A. dubitatum populations.

Historical records reveal the distinctive associations of human disturbance and extreme climate change with local extinction of mammals

Accelerated anthropogenic impacts and climatic changes are widely considered to be responsible for unprecedented species extinction. However, determining their effects on extinction is challenging owing to the lack of long-term data with high spatial and temporal resolution. In this study, using historical occurrence records of 11 medium- to large-sized mammal species or groups of species in China from 905 BC to AD 2006, we quantified the distinctive associations of anthropogenic stressors (represented by cropland coverage and human population density) and climatic stressors (represented by air temperature) with the local extinction of these mammals. We found that both intensified human disturbances and extreme climate change were associated with the increased local extinction of the study mammals. In the cold phase (the premodern period of China), climate cooling was positively associated with increased local extinction, while in the warm phase (the modern period) global warming was associated with increased local extinction. Interactive effects between human disturbance and temperature change with the local extinction of elephants, rhinos, pandas, and water deer were found. Large-sized mammals, such as elephants, rhinos, and pandas, showed earlier and larger population declines than small-sized ones. The local extinction sensitivities of these mammals to the human population density and standardized temperature were estimated during 1700 to 2000. The quantitative evidence for anthropogenic and climatic associations with mammalian extinction provided insights into the driving processes of species extinction, which has important implications for biodiversity conservation under accelerating global changes.

ATLANTIC MAMMALS: a data set of assemblages of medium- and large-sized mammals of the Atlantic Forest of South America.

Biodiversity inventories contain important information about species richness, community structure, and composition, and are the first step in developing any conservation and mitigation strategies. The Atlantic Forest of South America is home to around 334 species of small-, medium-, and large-sized mammals, and is currently restricted to less than 12% of its original cover. Here, we present the ATLANTIC MAMMALS, an open data set on information on medium- and large-sized mammal assemblages in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. A total of 129 studies were compiled, including published and in press peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, theses and unpublished data. We mapped 244 assemblages, eight orders, 63 genera, and 94 species (24 of which are classified as threatened by the IUCN Red List) distributed in 128 protected and 116 unprotected areas. Species richness of the mammalian assemblages varied from 1 to 39 species (mean 15). The most recorded species in the entire biome was Dasypus novemcinctus, followed by Cerdocyon thous and Procyon cancrivorous. These data can be useful in support of macroecological studies and conservation planning strategies. Please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using the data.

Medium- and large-sized mammal composition in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park and adjacent areas, state of Goiás, Brazil

The Cerrado is the second largest Brazilian biome and only 2.8% is represented by protected areas. Considering the relevance of the Cerrado and Conservation Units in preserving the mammalian diversity, we provided the first assessment of the diversity of medium- and large-sized mammal species in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park (CVNP) and surroundings. We tested the effectiveness of the CVNP by assessing the difference in species composition within the park and its surroundings. We sampled CVNP in the rainy (October-December 2013) and dry seasons (March-June 2014) in order to characterize the seasonality within the community. We selected 36 sampling sites to evaluate the composition of the medium and large mammals in the CVNP and its surroundings, 18 in the CVNP and 18 in the park surroundings. We ordered mammalian composition and frequency of individuals data by using a Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling analysis (NMDS). We assessed the effect of season (dry and rainy seasons) and locality (within the CVNP and surroundings) on mammalian species richness with a two-way analysis of variance (Two-way ANOVA). We recorded 23 species, 13 within the CVNP and 17 species in its surroundings. Composition and frequency of records differed between dry and rainy seasons, with higher richness in the rainy season. Species’ composition and the frequency of records were also different between within the CVNP and its surroundings, with higher richness in the surroundings. These results provide information for the increase of the knowledge of mammalian ecology but also is useful as a tool for future strategies to the conservation of these species. More attention should be given to the monitoring of these species in the long term because this area still harbor some viable populations.

Impacts of livestock grazing, topography and vegetation on distribution of wildlife in Wanglang National Nature Reserve, China

Successful conservation requires that we identify factors affecting species co-occurrence in the wild and understanding the consequence for wildlife management. We investigated species diversity in Wanglang National Nature Reserve using camera traps. We conducted vegetation surveys and obtained topographic information at each camera trapping site. We determined the characteristic species of trees and wildlife at each site using PCA. Generalized Linear Models of the effect of landscape structure (including the terrain and vegetation) and co-occurrence of wildlife species on occurrence of characteristic species were compared. Model selection showed that the global model out-performed all other models. The effect of species co-occurrence explained the most variation in species occurrence, while terrain and dominant tree species also had explained a high proportion. The co-occurrence of wildlife is affected by the distribution of terrain-dependent vegetation and dominant tree species, especially in the case of arboreal animals, which implies a high degree of niche partitioning. In contrast, terrestrial animals are more affected by species co-occurrence. Obvious mutual exclusivity is shown between grazing livestock (e.g. the cattle) and medium-to-large mammals such as giant panda and tufted deer. This may be attributed to the complete niche differentiation between these species, and indicates the effects of anthropogenic activities on wildlife in the reserve. These results indicate that the maintenance of a complex landscape is helpful for maintaining diverse resources and niches for wildlife. Reducing or adequately managing grazing activity is urgent for protecting medium- and large-sized mammals in the reserve.

Mammals of medium and large size in Cerrado remnants in southeastern Brazil

The Cerrado is the second largest biome in Brazil and considered a global biodiversity hotspot due to its high species richness, elevated amount of endemisms, and several anthropogenic threats. The Cerrado has more than 250 species of mammals, and about 15% are endemic. However, fragmentation and the consequent loss of native habitat threaten the maintenance of mammalian populations. In this context we carried out an inventory of medium- and large-sized mammals in Cerrado remnants in Matutina, Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Sampling was performed in four remnants of Cerrado and adjacent agricultural matrices for 18 days and 16 nights in March and July 2015 with camera traps, diurnal and nocturnal censuses, and by searching for tracks and other indirect evidence. We recorded 19 species of mammals, including top predators and species vulnerable to extinction. The original vegetation cover in the study area has become severely reduced and fragmented due to agricultural expansion. However, the remnants still retain considerable diversity of medium- and large-sized mammals, making them important for the maintenance of biological diversity.

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

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.

Accessibility do not explain abundance of medium and large-sized mammals in Terra Do Meio, Altamira, Pará, Brazil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of accessibility on hunting pressure by considering the mammal abundance and biomass of two protected areas belonging to different conservation categories -indigenous land and Ecological Station- in the Xingu River basin, eastern Amazon. For doing so, we used linear transection methods (total effort 240 km, in four tracks), camera traps (487 days) and complementary records. We also developed an accessibility coefficient based on the distance between navigable rivers and roads, and the center point of the sampled trails. We used the Simple linear regression test to analyze the effects of this accessibility on the biomass of the sighted species, gathering them in orders. We found 34 species belonging to seven families and six orders. We found no relation between mammal biomass and our accessibility index, which suggests that hunting pressure affects even the most distant studied areas.

First record of the naked-tailed armadillo (Cabassous sp.) at Tijuca National Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ABSTRACTDuring a study to characterize the medium and large-sized mammal community of the Tijuca National Park (3953 ha; Rio de Janeiro state), we registered for the first time the naked-tailed armadillo (Cabassous sp.). From April to September 2016, 42 camera-traps were set in the area, resulting in a total effort of 4302 trap-days. From the 1434 independent records obtained, five were of Cabassous sp. Two species of naked-tailed armadillo occur in Brazil, C. tatouay and C. unicinctus. Both of their distribution limits are uncertain and Cabassous C. tatouay is considered data deficient. Unfortunately, it was not possible to identify precisely the species.

Medium- and large-sized mammals in forest remnants of the southern Cerrado: diversity and ecology

Here we present a complete data set on the richness of medium- and large- sized mammals from a fragmented area of the southern Brazilian savanna (Cerrado). We described the frequency, occurrence status and activity period of the most common species. In each remnant, the community of medium- and large-sized mammals was inventoried across the following methods: tracks/prints, vocalizations, sightings, burrows, and camera trap images between August 2016 and January 2017. We recorded 23 species of medium- and large-sized mammals, of which seven are threatened. The study area presented a great potential, where we recorded 45.1% of all medium- and large-sized mammal species occurring in the Cerrado. Myrmecophaga tridactyla, Dasypus novemcinctus, Tapirus terrestris, Cerdocyon thous and Cuniculus paca were classified as common, which was expected since they have large habitat range, and therefore, can be recorded more frequently. Species with large body size, such as T. terrestris, M. tridactyla and C. thous, were also the ones with the greatest variation in time period of activity, occurring both in nocturnal and diurnal time periods. Therefore, our study underscores that this transition area, although fragmented, still maintains an expressive fauna of medium- and large-sized mammals, including endangered species.

Land-use changes and the expansion of biofuel crops threaten the giant anteater in southeastern Brazil

Land-use changes impact biodiversity, and biofuel crop production and its expansion pose as an important driver of negative effects in the tropics. Understanding the influence of land-use changes on suitable habitats for species is a worldwide conservation challenge, particularly on large-sized mammals. We modeled habitat suitability of the threatened giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) in the Brazilian State of Sao Paulo. The region is the most populous and economically developed of the country and is the world's main sugarcane production area. We aimed to 1) map habitat suitability for the giant anteater population in the State; 2) assess the contributions of selected landscape and anthropogenic predictors to species habitat suitability; and 3) quantify suitable habitats in environmental protection areas and in areas threatened by the sugarcane expansion. We used a two-step analysis: First, we created a suitability map in the species' distributional range (Drange); from this map, we extracted the results for Sao Paulo State. Second, we built a regional model to predict the current scenario of Sao Paulo using the following environmental layers: 1) the resulting distributional range map for giant anteater (Drange); 2) landscape metrics; and 3) anthropogenic factors that might affect anteaters. The State of Sao Paulo presented, in general, very low values of habitat suitability. The following predictors made the greatest contribution: Drange, vegetation connectivity and distance to protected areas. Suitable habitats for anteaters within strictly protected areas are very scarce (1.6% of the total area), and 22% of the suitable areas are expected to be altered by future sugarcane expansion. Suitable habitats on private lands must play a role in conserving biodiversity.

AN UPDATED SPECIES LIST OF MEDIUM AND LARGE-SIZED MAMMALS OF THE AUGUSTO RUSCHI BIOLOGICAL RESERVE, USING A NOVEL SAMPLING DESIGN

Monitoring biological communities through time helps reveal the state of habitat conservation. We performed a new inventory of the medium and large-sized mammals in the Augusto Ruschi Biological Reserve, southeastern Brazil. Our assessment was based on a new camera-trapping sampling design that incorporates a one-year Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) to characterize environmental heterogeneity across the study area. We selected sampling locations in different microhabitats to conduct a 90-day camera trap monitoring. Our sampling effort was 28,704 hours, resulting in 755 photographic records, from which we identified 15 native medium and large-sized mammals, one small-sized mammal ( Guerlinguetus brasiliensis ), and one exotic species ( Canis familiaris ). The native mammals included four species not listed in the last inventory carried out in the study area: Dasypus novemcinctus (nine-banded armadillo), Tamandua tetradactyla (collared anteater), Herpailurus yagouaroundi (jaguarundi), and Cerdocyon thous (crab-eating fox). This outcome may indicate the efficiency of our sampling design, which represents an innovative approach to characterizing local mammal communities across an environmental gradient, ensuring broad representation of different resources and habitat characteristics. Consequently, our approach may ensure the recording of the local mammal assemblage and is an appropriate option for inventorying and monitoring medium to large-sized mammals.

SHORT AND NARROW ROADS CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL IMPACTS ON WILDLIFE

Short and narrow roads are generally overlooked when assessing road impacts on biodiversity. However, these roads bisect natural environments and may cause significant impacts on wildlife in local scale. Thus, we monitored roadkills along a short two-lane road (CPM road) in Southeastern Brazil and propose mitigation strategies to reduce wildlife mortality. We monitored roadkilled vertebrates along 5 km of CPM road from 2010 to 2016 and we also compiled data from previous studies along the same road. We conducted a hotspot analysis to identify CPM road areas with significant roadkill aggregation. We recorded 77 roadkilled vertebrates from 14 taxonomic groups along the CPM road. Mammals were the most frequently recorded group (91% of roadkills), which represented 56% of all medium- and large-sized mammal species known to occur in the study area. We identified three roadkill hotspots along the CPM road. Two of them were located at two stream crossings, where the road cut across the associated riparian forests, and the other was at a road section with water drainage from a pond, also connected to a riparian forest. These riparian forests are part of the remaining natural habitat that provides connectivity between the forest remnants in the landscape, and therefore, for wildlife. Our results showed that even short and narrow roads can have considerable roadkill, which may have severe effects for wildlife on a local scale. The results stress the need to carefully look at these types of roads and propose measures to reduce impacts. We propose the creation of safe crossing opportunities in the hotspot zones combined with wildlife fencing to keep the animals off the road and guide them towards the safe crossing opportunities.

Medium and large-sized mammals in an Atlantic Forest fragment of Brazil: recording of threatened species

Deforestation and habitat fragmentation affect to a great extent larger wild mammals, which require large areas to establish their populations. These mammals can have important functions in the structure and dynamics of tropical forests, acting as seed dispersers, herbivory regulators, and umbrella species. In the present paper, we characterize the community of medium and large wild mammals in a semi-deciduous seasonal forest fragment, a denominated IB Forest (Institute of Biosciences) in Edgardia Experimental Farm, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. By adopting sand plots on three trails as the main method, we identified the occurrence of nine species, besides the occurrence of one species by direct visualization. Some of these are in national red lists — Leopardus pardalis and Puma concolor are listed as threatened and Sapajus cf. nigritus as Near Threatened in São Paulo State; Puma concolor is also listed as Vulnerable at the national level. Thus, we emphasize the importance of this forest remnant as a wildlife refuge, which makes it necessary to monitor the occurrence of these animals in the area and conserve similar remnants in the region.