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.

Identificação de marsupiais do Rio Grande do Sul através da microestrutura dos pelos-guarda

ABREU, M.S.L.; CHRISTOFF, A.U.; VIEIRA, E.M. 2011. Identificação de marsupiais do Rio Grande do Sul através da microestrutura dos pelos-guarda. Biota Neotropica 11(3):377-386.

Abstract: The analysis of mammalian hairs is a non-invasive technique that may help in the identification of Brazilian marsupials. Our objective was to identify microscopic patterns of marsupial guard-hairs (cuticle and medulla) from species with occurrence in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. We also present a hair-based identification key for this group. Specifically for Monodelphis, a still taxonomically obscure genus that needs revision, we present detailed description of observed hair patterns. We obtained the analyzed material by collecting hair samples of marsupials captured in field or else deposited in different zoological collections. We identified hair patterns of ten marsupial species: Caluromys　lanatus, Chironectes　minimus, Didelphis　aurita, Didelphis　albiventris, Cryptonanus　guahybae, Gracilinanusagilis, Gracilinanusmicrotarsus, Lutreolinacrassicaudata, Micoureusparaguayanus and Philander　frenatus. Individuals of the Monodelphis genus were analyzed together, considered as part of the dimidiata group. We found three distinct patterns for this group, suggesting the possible occurrence of a third species besides the two already recognized (M. brevicaudis and M. 　dimidiata). These morphs show distinct distribution in the state, with some degree of distribution overlap. The analysis of microscopic patterns of mammal hairs allowed the successful identification of the great majority of marsupials that occur in the Rio Grande do Sul state. Our results suggest that the two Monodelphis species of the dimidiata group might occur with a distinct distribution in the state, one of them occupying mainly the northern part and the other one the eastern region, with some overlap in the central part of the state.

VII Congresso Brasileiro de Unidades de Conservação

Mais um evento esta programado para ocorrer em 2012. É o VII Congresso Brasileiro de Unidades de Conservação, que ocorrerá entre os dias 24 e 27 de setembro de 2012, em Natal/RN. As inscrições e as submissões de trabalhos~já estão abertas.

Maiores informações no site do evento.

II Congresso Brasileiro de Ecologia de Paisagens

Prezados Colegas Pesquisadores, Profissionais e Estudantes,

Temos a honra de convidá-los a participarem do II Congresso Brasileiro de Ecologia de Paisagens, o qual será realizado no hotel Vila Galé na cidade de Salvador entre os dias 10 e 12 de setembro de 2012. A temática central do congresso é “Ecologia de Paisagens e sustentabilidade: Conectando a Teoria à Prática da Conservação”.

O evento pretende fortalecer a Ecologia de Paisagens no Brasil e dar continuidade aos trabalhos da IALE na América Latina. A exemplo do Congresso Latino-americano de 2009, esperamos contar com a presença de pesquisadores, profissionais e estudantes de todo o Brasil e América Latina.

Conjuntamente com o II-IALE-BR, ocorrerá o II Simpósio SCGIS-BR, organizado pelo ramo brasileiro da “Society for Conservation Geographic Information Systems”. O simpósio terá como tema “SIG para conservação da biodiversidade: apoiando o planejamento e gestão de paisagens sustentáveis”. Esse simpósio deve atrair, além de pesquisadores das áreas de Ecologia de Paisagens e de Conservação, diversos profissionais interessados nos recentes avanços dos Sistemas de Informações Geográficas aplicados à conservação ambiental.

Em anexo segue o cartaz de divulgação do evento. Pedimos o favor de auxiliar em sua circulação.

Além da apresentação de trabalhos na área, iremos contar com palestras de pesquisadores proeminentes na área de Ecologia de Paisagens, cujos nomes serão divulgados em breve.

Contamos com a sua presença em Salvador!

Cordialmente,

Danilo Boscolo

Presidente da IALE-BR e do II Congresso Brasileiro de Ecologia de Paisagensdanilo.boscolo@unifesp.br
ialebr.contact@gmail.com

Datas importantes
01/04/2012 - Propostas para Simpósios e Mesas-redondas
04/05/2012 - Notificação do aceite de Simpósios e Mesas-redondas
30/06/2012 - Submissão de resumos
30/07/2012 - Notificação do aceite dos resumos
06/08/2012 - Inscrição com desconto
01/09/2012 - Encerramento das inscrições online

Mais informações: http://www.eventus.com.br/iale2012

Download do cartaz.

VI Congresso Brasileiro de Mastozoologia - Grupo do Sul

A equipe do Laboratório de Ecologia de Mamíferos da Unisinos (São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul) está organizando um grupo de alunos e profissionais interessados em participar do VI Congresso Brasileiro de Mastozoologia, que ocorrerá em Corumbá. O objetivo é tentar obter descontos em transporte e/ou hospedagem para grupo.


Os interessados devem entrar em contato com os alunos Nathalia Freitas (sfreitas.nathalia@gmail.com) ou Maury Abreu (maury.abreu@gmail.com). Salienta-se que a inscrição no evento e possíveis submissões de trabalhos são de responsabilidade do aluno. Os preços promocionais para a inscrição vão até o dia 5 de março de 2012. Maiores informações sobre o evento podem ser encontradas no site http://eventus.com.br/sbmz2012/index.html.

Behavioral and physiologic responses to environmental enrichment in the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)

CUMMINGS, D.; BROWN, J.L.; RODDEN, M.D.; SONGSASEN, N. 2007. Behavioral and physiologic responses to environmental enrichment in the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus). Zoo Biology 26:331-343.

Abstract. The ex situ population of maned wolves is not self-sustaining due to poor reproduction, caused primarily by parental incompetence. Studies have shown that environmental enrichment can promote natural parental behaviors in zoo animals. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of environmental enrichment on behavioral and physiological responses of maned wolves. During an 8-week experimental period, daily behavior observations and fecal sample collection were conducted on four adult wolves (2.2) individually housed in environments without enrichment. After 2 weeks, the wolves were chronologically provided with 2-week intervals of hiding dead mice around the exhibit, no enrichment, and introduction of boomer balls. Responses of the wolves to enrichment were assessed based on activity levels and exploratory rates, as well as the level of corticoid metabolites in fecal samples collected daily throughout the study period. Providing wolves with environmental enrichment significantly increased exploratory behaviors (P < 0.05), especially when mice were hidden in the enclosure. Fecal corticoid concentrations were increased during periods of enrichment in males (P < 0.05), but not in females. Overall, there were no correlations between behavioral responses to enrichment and fecal corticoid levels. Behavioral results suggest that environmental enrichment elicits positive effects on the behavior of captive maned wolves. There is evidence suggesting that providing animals with ability to forage for food is a more effective enrichment strategy than introducing objects. There is need for a longer term study to determine the impact of environmental enrichment in this species.