Incidental catch of South American sea lion in a pair trawl off southern Brazil

MACHADO, R.; OLIVEIRA, L.R.; MONTEALEGRE-QUIJANO, S. 2015. Incidental catch of South American sea lion in a pair trawl off southern Brazil. Neotropical Biology and Conservation 10(1):43-47. doi: 10.4013/nbc.2015.101.06

Abstract. The population of the South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens (Shaw, 1800), in Uruguay is declining at an annual rate of 1.6 to 2.0%. Although the reasons are still unknown, interactions with fishing activities have been identified as a major cause. The individuals that arrive along the coast of Brazil come from the breeding colonies off Uruguay after their breeding period. We report here the first record of incidental catch of South American sea lions in Brazilian waters by a pair trawl. On July 17th, 2008 a young male of South American sea lion was incidentally caught during a commercial pair trawl fishing trip along the southern Brazilian coast (32º57’S, 52º31’W), in a depth ranging from 15 to 20 m. Despite being punctual, this record is an evidence of a potential major threat to South American sea lions in southern Brazil and Uruguay, since trawl industrial fishing is a very important economic activity in South Brazil.

Medium and large-sized mammals of the Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçú, Cachoeira de Macacu, RJ

CARVALHO, I.D.; OLIVEIRA, R.; PIRES, A.S. 2014. Medium and large-sized mammals of the Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçú, Cachoeira de Macacu, RJ. Biota Neotropica 14(3):1-9.

Abstract: Medium and large-sized terrestrial mammals develop important functions in ecosystems maintenance. However, this group is the most vulnerable to local extinctions, through habitat loss or hunting. This study inventoried the community of medium and large mammals in the Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçú (REGUA), Cachoeiras de Macacu, RJ, providing data on species composition, richness and abundance. Species were registered through the use of camera traps, sign survey and visual encounters on pre-existing trails and roads. The study was conducted from January to October 2012, with each month considered as a sample unit. An effort of 1568 cameras-day and 120 km traveled, resulted on 302 records of 22 species of medium and large-sized mammals, belonging to eight orders. This value corresponds to more than three-quarters of the richness described from this group in the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro state. Five species are under some level of regional, national or global threat. Three game species, Pecari tajacu, Cuniculus paca and Dasyprocta leporina were abundant in the area. The observed richness was comparable to that found in other studies conducted in rain forests. Thus, for its high number of species, including those under some degree of threat, we conclude that REGUA is an important area to mammal conservation, especially in the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro state.

Niche partitioning among white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari), collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu), and feral pigs (Sus scrofa)

DESBIEZ, A.L.J.; SANTOS, S.A.; KEUROGHLIAN, A.; BODMER, R.E. 2009. Niche partitioning among white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari), collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu), and feral pigs (Sus scrofa). Journal of Mammlogy 90(1):119-128.

Abstract. The introduction of a species into an ecosystem with species already occupying a similar trophic level is predicted to lead to a high degree of niche overlap. The feral pig (Sus scrofa), one of the world’s worst invasive species, was introduced to the Pantanal about 200 years ago and is thought to compete with the native whitelipped peccary (Tayassu pecari) and collared peccary (Pecari tajacu). Resource partitioning between the 3 species was examined, including analysis of fruit items and plants in fecal samples as well as encounter rates in different habitats, to help generate hypotheses about competitive interactions among the species. Overlaps in food resources and habitat use between feral pigs and peccaries were found to be lower than expected. In fact, niche overlap as highest between the native species. Results indicate that currently, feral pigs are not a direct threat to the native peccaries in the study area. Differences in morphology and behavior indicate possible mechanisms of niche partitioning between the species. Feral pigs may, nevertheless, impact the wildlife community in other ways as predators of eggs, by destruction of vegetation through rooting, or by functioning as disease reservoirs. Cattle-ranching activities may favor feral pigs and the current anthropogenic changes in the landscape could lead to changes in competitive dynamics between feral pigs and native species.

Livro: Ecologia e Conservação do Lobo-Guará

O lançamento já aconteceu, no ano passado, mas seguem aqui informações sobre esse novo livro, editado por Adriana Gomes Consorte-McCrea e Eliana Ferraz Santos, pela editora Taylor & Francis Group Brasil.

The maned wolf in the ecotone between forest and grasslands at the limits of its distribution in a subtropical environment

MARQUES, R.V.; FABIÁN, M.E. 2013. The maned wolf in the ecotone between forest and grasslands at the limits of its distribution in a subtropical environment. Bioscience Journal 29(3):751-759.

Abstract. The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is a neotropical canid that is considered near threatened by the IUCN, vulnerable in Brazil and critically endangered in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The Araucaria High Plains have coverage of Atlantic forest mixed in with open areas and small wetland areas and are at one of the limits of the range of the maned wolf. The objectives of this article are to demonstrate that, although rare, the maned wolf does still occur in the Araucaria High Plains and to discuss the relevance of conservation efforts in areas in which the occurrence of threatened species is borderline. Data collection took place between March of 1999 and December of 2010 with a total sampling effort of 11,431 trap-days. After 10 years in which there were no corroborated records, the species was caught by camera traps in the São Francisco de Paula National Forest in November of 2009. This is a protected area with forest vegetation and is not considered the species’ typical habitat. The open areas in this region are being taken over by agriculture and silviculture of exotic species.

Occurrence (new record) of maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815) (Carnivora, Canidae) in southern Brazil

PINTO, L.C.; DUARTE, M.M. 2013. Occurrence (new record) of maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815) (Carnivora, Canidae) in southern Brazil. Ciência Florestal 23(1):253-259.

Abstract. The present study presents the record of occurrence of Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815) in an area of wet grasslands which is adjacent to the riparian forest along Ibicui river, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The species was found through the use of camera traps and search of vestiges in pre-established transections in the area, as part of a environmental monitoring program of a forestation project.

The pampas cat group (genus Lynchailurus Severtzov, 1858) (Carnivora: Felidae), a systematic and biogeographic review

GARCIA-PEREA, R. 1994. The pampas cat group (genus Lynchailurus Severtzov, 1858) (Carnivora: Felidae), a systematic and biogeographic review. American Museum Novitates 3096:1-36.

Abstract. A systematic study of 86 specimens of South American cats formerly known as Felis colocolo reveals three species, in addition to a new subspecies described herein. The three species are grouped in the genus Lynchailurus on the basis of shared character states. Lynchailurus pajeros occurs on high-elevation steppes from Ecuador to Bolivia and Argentina (eastern slope of the Andes), and farther south in Argentina into lowland steppe, shrubland, and dry forest habitats. Its southern limit is Patagonia (Argentinean and Chilean). Lynchailurus braccatus is found in Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, where it occupies humid and warmer grassland and forested areas, at moderate elevations. Lynchailurus colocolo occurs in subtropical forests at middle elevations in central Chile, and in high-elevation steppes in northern Chile on the western slope of the Andes. The latter species may be endangered, because its distribution is limited. Assigned subspecies are as follows: L. pajeros budini and L. p. crespoi, in northwestern Argentina; L. p. crucinus, in southern Argentina and Chile; L. p. garleppi, in Peru; L. p. pajeros, in central Argentina; L. p. steinbachi, in Bolivia; L. p. thomasi, from Ecuador; L. braccatus braccatus, in southwestern Brazil and Paraguay; L. b. munoai, in Uruguay and southern Brazil; L. colocolo colocolo, in central Chile; and L. c. wolffsohni (new subspecies), in northern Chile.

Modeling impacts of climate change on giant panda habitat

SONGER, M.; DELION, M.; BIGGS, A.; HUANG, Q. 2012. Modeling impacts of climate change on giant panda habitat. International Journal of Ecology, v 2012, Article ID 108752, 12 pages. doi: 10.1155/2012/108752.

Abstract. Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are one of the most widely recognized endangered species globally. Habitat loss and fragmentation are the main threats, and climate change could significantly impact giant panda survival.We integrated giant panda habitat information with general climate models (GCMs) to predict future geographic distribution and fragmentation of giant panda habitat. Results support a major general prediction of climate change—a shift of habitats towards higher elevation and higher latitudes. Our models predict climate change could reduce giant panda habitat by nearly 60% over 70 years. New areas may become suitable outside the current geographic range but much of these areas is far from the current giant panda range and only 15% fall within the current protected area system. Long-term survival of giant pandas will require the creation of new protected areas that are likely to support suitable habitat even if the climate changes.

Estimating puma densities from câmera trapping across three study sites: Bolivia, Argentina, and Belize

KELLY, M.J.; NOSS, A.J.; DI BITETTI, M.S.; MAFEI, L.; ARISPE, R.L.; PAVIOLO, A.; DE ANGELO, C.D.; DI BLANCO, Y.E. 2008. Estimating puma densities from câmera trapping across three study sites: Bolivia, Argentina, and Belize. Journal of Mammalogy 89(2):408-418.

Abstract. Estimates of abundance are extremely valuable for species conservation, yet determining abundance for elusive, wide-ranging, carnivores is difficult. We estimated density of pumas using remote cameras across study sites in Bolivia, Argentina, and Belize. We used obvious and subtle markings to identify individual pumas in photographs and conducted double-blind identifications to examine the degree of agreement among investigators. Average agreement on identification between pairs of investigators was nearly 80.0% and 3-way agreement was 72.9%. Identification of pumas as different individuals was uncommon (7.8% pairwise, 0.69% 3-way disagreement) with the remainder described as unidentifiable. Densities of pumas varied consistently from site to site regardless of investigator. Bolivian pumas moved the shortest distances between camera stations and Argentinean pumas the longest, but distances among cameras and area covered by surveys varied among sites. We applied a correction factor to the Bolivian data to account for the small area surveyed and found that, averaged across investigator, Bolivia had significantly more pumas per 100 km² (mean 6 SD; 6.80 6 1.5) than Belize (3.42 6 1.3) or Argentina (0.67 6 0.2). Numbers of pumas in Argentina match those of low-density North American sites, and those for Belize are consistent with the Pantanal and high-density North American sites. Densities of pumas can be reliably estimated with remote cameras for these sites, and our work presents the 1st density estimates for Central America and for forested environments in South America.

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.

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.

Rediscovery and redescription of Marmosops handleyi (Pine, 1981) (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae), the least known Andean slender mouse opossum

DÍAZ-N., J.; GÓMEZ-LAVERDE, M.; SÁNCHEZ-GIRALDO, C. 2011. Rediscovery and redescription of Marmosops handleyi (Pine, 1981) (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae), the least known Andean slender mouse opossum. Mastozoología Neotropical 18(1):45-61.

Abstract. Marmosops handleyi was briefly described in 1981 based on two specimens collected in 1950 in the northern Andes of Colombia. Until now there have been no additional reported records for this species, and knowledge about its taxonomy, ecology, natural history and evolutionary relationships is deficient. Aiming to assess its current distribution, we searched for this species at four localities in the northern part of the Colombian Cordillera Central, where we collected the new material on which this report is based. Morphological comparisons with a sympatric congeneric species herein identified as M. caucae, revealed new external and craniodental characters that we use to redescribe M. handleyi. Our phylogenetic analysis groups M. handleyi as the sister taxon of a clade of small-bodied forms (M. parvidens +  M. pinheiroi), and a basal polytomy includes M. caucae (a Colombian taxon currently synonymized with M. impavidus) and other large-bodied forms. Finally, a reassessment of M. handleyi’s current conservation status suggests that the species should be transferred from Critically Endangered (CR) to Endangered (EN) IUCN category based on our discovery of additional extant populations.

Rarity in neotropical forest mammals and its ecological correlates

ARITA, H.T.; ROBINSON, J.G.; REDFORD, K.H. 1990. Rarity in neotropical forest mammals and its ecological correlates. Conservation Biology 4(2):181-192.

 Abstract. Local density and size of distributional range have been used to characterize rarity, but conclusions are weakened by their possible lack of independence. The usefulness and validity of using these two variables were tested with data on distribution, local density, body size, and feeding habits for a set of 100 Neotropical forest mammals.
In a bivariate plot of distributional range against local density, species clustered according to their trophic or taxonomic groups. This indicates that diet and phylogenetic history have an influence on rarity. A negative correlation was found between distribution and abundance. However, this correlation was weaker within trophic or taxonomic groups, and vanished when body size was held constant. These results show that both distribution and abundance are valid and independent estimators of rarity when comparing species with similar sizes and ecological traits. Regression analysis showed that larger animals tend to have lower densities and wider distributional ranges. Rarity is clearly associated with body size.
A dichotomous classification of rarity based on area of distribution and local density is suitable for Neotropical forest mammals. Species in each of four categories created by such a scheme require different conservation and management policies that are determined by the ecological characteristics of the spcies. Final conservation strategies must also be shaped by political and economic constraints.

The question of scale in threat analysis: a case study with Brazilian mammals

GRELLE, C.E.V.; FONSECA, G.A.B.; FONSECA, M.T.; COSTA, L.P. 1999. The question of scale in threat analysis: a case study with Brazilian mammals. Animal Conservation 2:149-152.

Abstract. Rates of biodiversity loss are clearly associated with a reduction in the extent of original habitat. The most frequently used method to derive such estimates comes from the well-known species–area relationship. We explored the relationship between habitat loss and area for the Brazilian mammal fauna on a biome level (Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and the Brazilian portion of the Amazon basin), as well as on a smaller regional scale (the Rio Doce Valley of the Atlantic Forest). Habitat loss overestimates the number of threatened species when the entire species pool is considered (endemics and wideranging species). Restricting the analyses to the endemic species, the predicted extinction as a function of habitat loss in the Atlantic Forest and in the Cerrado is found to be greater than the number of taxa actually listed as threatened. This relation is reversed in the Amazon. When considering only the localized species pool for the Rio Doce Valley region of the Atlantic Forest, the function accurately predicts the number of extinctions resulting from habitat loss. We suggest that there is both theoretical and empirical evidence to suggest that threat analysis will generate more accurate estimates of species loss when conducted on a more local scale, particularly for the fauna of non-insular, continental regions. Furthermore, other phenomena affecting the likelihood of extinction of certain groups of species, such as hunting, need to be taken into account in order to better understand the dynamics of biodiversity loss.