BUENO, A.A.; BELENTANI, S.C.S. MOTTA-JUNIOR, J.C. 2002. Feeding ecology of the maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815) (Mammalia: Canidae), in the Ecological Station of Itirapina, São Paulo State, Brazil. Biota Neotropica 2(2):http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v2n2/pt/abstract?article+BN01802022002.
Abstract. The feeding ecology of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) was studied from 1998 to 2002 in the Ecological Station of Itirapina, São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil, including estimates of prey number and biomass consumption. A total of 325 faecal samples was collected in the area. The species is omnivorous, with a broad diet including 68 species or morphospecies of fruits and animals. Armadillos (Dasypodidae), wolf’s fruit (Solanum lycocarpum) and small mammals (mostly Clyomys bishopi) were the bulk of the diet, comprising 72.8 % of the total estimated biomass consumed (185,323.4 g). In terms of frequency of occurrence, on the other hand, only small mammals and other miscellaneous fruits yielded 43.4% of the total occurrences (N = 1,054). Animal prey ranging from 0.01 and 0.1 Kg were the most captured category, resulting in 44.2 % of 507 captured animals. The maned wolf seems to be seasonally opportunistic, at least for fruits and insects, as indicated by the variation of the consumption of these items along the year. The higher consumption of fruits and animals characteristic of savannah can be an important factor to consider in future management plans for the species.
sábado, 29 de dezembro de 2012
sábado, 22 de dezembro de 2012
Fruit occurrence in the diet of the Neotropical otter, Lontra longicaudis, in southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest and its implication for seed dispersion
QUADROS, J.; MONTEIRO-FILHO, E.L.A. 2000. Fruit occurrence in the diet of the Neotropical otter, Lontra longicaudis, in southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest and its implication for seed dispersion. Mastozoología Neotropical 7(1):33-36.
Astract. The Neotropical otter has been described as insectivorous and piscivorous cancrivorous. We registered the presence of fruit remains in the scats of the Neotropical otter and developed an analysis about the occurrence and importance of fruits in its diet. This study was carried out from September 1995 to March 1997 in Reserva Volta Velha, an Atlantic Forest area in south Brazil. Otter scats were collected along rivers, washed, dried and analyzed. Seeds found in scats were identified by comparison with a reference collection and their viability was tested in germination ground plots. Fruit collectors helped studying the availability of these fruit species during seven months. A total of 202 scats were collected but only six (3%) presented fruit remains. Identified seeds from only four scats indicated that otters ate three fruit species: Marlierea tomentosa (Myrtaceae), Manilkara subsericea (Sapotaceae) and Pouteria lasiocarpa (Rubiaceae). The availability results indicate that all three are abundant fruit species in the study area, specially the former. In the germination experiments all seeds of M. tomentosa germinated (n=16). Considering the daily movement pattern of the Neotropical otter, and the high germination rate of M. tomentosa, it is possible that the Neotropical otter is a seed disperser for this plant species in the study site.
Astract. The Neotropical otter has been described as insectivorous and piscivorous cancrivorous. We registered the presence of fruit remains in the scats of the Neotropical otter and developed an analysis about the occurrence and importance of fruits in its diet. This study was carried out from September 1995 to March 1997 in Reserva Volta Velha, an Atlantic Forest area in south Brazil. Otter scats were collected along rivers, washed, dried and analyzed. Seeds found in scats were identified by comparison with a reference collection and their viability was tested in germination ground plots. Fruit collectors helped studying the availability of these fruit species during seven months. A total of 202 scats were collected but only six (3%) presented fruit remains. Identified seeds from only four scats indicated that otters ate three fruit species: Marlierea tomentosa (Myrtaceae), Manilkara subsericea (Sapotaceae) and Pouteria lasiocarpa (Rubiaceae). The availability results indicate that all three are abundant fruit species in the study area, specially the former. In the germination experiments all seeds of M. tomentosa germinated (n=16). Considering the daily movement pattern of the Neotropical otter, and the high germination rate of M. tomentosa, it is possible that the Neotropical otter is a seed disperser for this plant species in the study site.
sábado, 15 de dezembro de 2012
Feeding of the Neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) in the coastal region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil
COLARES, E.P.; WALDEMARIN, H.F. 2000. Feeding of the Neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) in the coastal region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil. IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 17(1):1-6.
Abstract. In the coastal region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, in southern Brazil, three areas were monitored to study the feeding habits of the neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) using spraint analysis. The National Park of the Peixe Lagoon was monitored seasonally between August 1995 and July 1996, in the Senandes Creek five samplings were done between June and December 1995 and in the Estiva Creek monthly samplings were done between May 1995 and July 1996. In each of these areas spraints were collected and stored. In the laboratory they were washed, separated and identified. The only area where it was possible to do a seasonal analysis of the feeding habits was the Estiva Creek. In all areas fish was the item found in the great number of spraints and crustaceans also had a considerable importance in areas with salt-water influence. The other items found were present in few samples, being them mollusks, insect, reptiles, birds and mammals. The differences observed in the feeding habits of the species between seasons and areas probably reflects the availability of different preys, agreeing the species opportunism.
Abstract. In the coastal region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, in southern Brazil, three areas were monitored to study the feeding habits of the neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) using spraint analysis. The National Park of the Peixe Lagoon was monitored seasonally between August 1995 and July 1996, in the Senandes Creek five samplings were done between June and December 1995 and in the Estiva Creek monthly samplings were done between May 1995 and July 1996. In each of these areas spraints were collected and stored. In the laboratory they were washed, separated and identified. The only area where it was possible to do a seasonal analysis of the feeding habits was the Estiva Creek. In all areas fish was the item found in the great number of spraints and crustaceans also had a considerable importance in areas with salt-water influence. The other items found were present in few samples, being them mollusks, insect, reptiles, birds and mammals. The differences observed in the feeding habits of the species between seasons and areas probably reflects the availability of different preys, agreeing the species opportunism.
sábado, 8 de dezembro de 2012
Rarity in Neotropical bats: correlations with phylogeny, diet, and body mass
ARITA, H.T. 1993. Rarity in Neotropical bats: correlations with phylogeny, diet, and body mass. Ecological Applications 3(3):506-517.
Abstract. Bats are an important component of tropical faunas, both in terms of number of species and total biomass. Very little information, however, is available on the status and conservation of this diverse group. To contribute to the solution of this problem, rarity among Neotropical bats was analyzed using a set of 150 species. Rarity was quantified by local abundance and area of distributional range and by a combined index of rarity created by compounding these two variables. Nested analyses of variance showed local abundance to be more variable among genera than at any other taxonomic level, and area of distribution to be more variable among species. No significant correlation with body mass was found for local abundance or for area of distribution. Similarly, no correlation was found between distribution and abundance. Local abundance, but not area of distribution, varied significantly among taxonomic and trophic categories. At the local level, bats of the family Molossidae tend to be less abundant than other species. Bats that feed on plant parts or products (fruit, nectar, and pollen) are more abundant than insectivores and carnivores. The distribution of species among Rabinowitz' categories of rarity varied among taxonomic and trophic groups. The classification of rarity and the combined index of rarity introduced here can be used as guidelines for the identification of vulnerable species.
Abstract. Bats are an important component of tropical faunas, both in terms of number of species and total biomass. Very little information, however, is available on the status and conservation of this diverse group. To contribute to the solution of this problem, rarity among Neotropical bats was analyzed using a set of 150 species. Rarity was quantified by local abundance and area of distributional range and by a combined index of rarity created by compounding these two variables. Nested analyses of variance showed local abundance to be more variable among genera than at any other taxonomic level, and area of distribution to be more variable among species. No significant correlation with body mass was found for local abundance or for area of distribution. Similarly, no correlation was found between distribution and abundance. Local abundance, but not area of distribution, varied significantly among taxonomic and trophic categories. At the local level, bats of the family Molossidae tend to be less abundant than other species. Bats that feed on plant parts or products (fruit, nectar, and pollen) are more abundant than insectivores and carnivores. The distribution of species among Rabinowitz' categories of rarity varied among taxonomic and trophic groups. The classification of rarity and the combined index of rarity introduced here can be used as guidelines for the identification of vulnerable species.
sábado, 1 de dezembro de 2012
The status of the jaguar in the Pantanal
CAVALCANTI, S.M.C.; AZEVEDO, F.C.C.; TOMÁS, W.M.; BOULHOSA, R.L.P.; CRAWSHAW JR., P.G. 2012. The status of the jaguar in the Pantanal. CATnews Special Issue 7:29-34.
Abstract. The Pantanal is considered an important area for the conservation of jaguars Panthera onca in the long-term. In comparison to other biomes in Brazil, the Pantanal can be considered still relatively well preserved. According to a recent study, the original vegetation cover remains intact in 85% of the Pantanal plain. However, in the uplands of the Upper Paraguay watershed over 50% of the original vegetation has been altered. This situation is worrisome as this area harbors the headwaters of the rivers that are responsible for maintaining the wet and dry cycles of the Pantanal. As opposed to previously reported, only about 63% of the Pantanal biome is actually occupied by jaguars. Habitat fragmentation caused by human presence and intensification of land use is a threat to jaguars in the Pantanal. Other threats include high levels of retaliation from ranchers due to livestock depredation and the lack of enforcement by wildlife authorities, illegal hunting tourism activity, pasture management through the use of annual fires, and the mining industry. The first estimate of a jaguar population in Brazil was conducted in the southern Pantanal (6.5-7.0 jaguars/km2), although the distribution of the species is heterogeneous, which precludes an accurate estimation of the current population size in this biome. Authorities should recognize the cost associated with grazing cattle in an area where jaguars exist in considerable numbers and regularly prey on cattle. A unique regional policy could address some of the problem, perhaps in the form of tax benefits, special lines of credit, or a regional increase in beef prices. It is important that environmental actions be implemented to increase market value of cattle raised in the region without changing the main characteristics of the Pantanal.
Abstract. The Pantanal is considered an important area for the conservation of jaguars Panthera onca in the long-term. In comparison to other biomes in Brazil, the Pantanal can be considered still relatively well preserved. According to a recent study, the original vegetation cover remains intact in 85% of the Pantanal plain. However, in the uplands of the Upper Paraguay watershed over 50% of the original vegetation has been altered. This situation is worrisome as this area harbors the headwaters of the rivers that are responsible for maintaining the wet and dry cycles of the Pantanal. As opposed to previously reported, only about 63% of the Pantanal biome is actually occupied by jaguars. Habitat fragmentation caused by human presence and intensification of land use is a threat to jaguars in the Pantanal. Other threats include high levels of retaliation from ranchers due to livestock depredation and the lack of enforcement by wildlife authorities, illegal hunting tourism activity, pasture management through the use of annual fires, and the mining industry. The first estimate of a jaguar population in Brazil was conducted in the southern Pantanal (6.5-7.0 jaguars/km2), although the distribution of the species is heterogeneous, which precludes an accurate estimation of the current population size in this biome. Authorities should recognize the cost associated with grazing cattle in an area where jaguars exist in considerable numbers and regularly prey on cattle. A unique regional policy could address some of the problem, perhaps in the form of tax benefits, special lines of credit, or a regional increase in beef prices. It is important that environmental actions be implemented to increase market value of cattle raised in the region without changing the main characteristics of the Pantanal.
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