Relative abundance and activity patterns of terrestrial carnivorous mammals in Península Valdés, Patagonia, Argentina

Mammalia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Romina L. D’Agostino ◽  
Daniel E. Udrizar Sauthier

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to assess the relative abundance and activity patterns of terrestrial carnivorous mammals living in San Pablo de Valdés Wildlife Reserve, which is located in Península Valdés (PV), Chubut province, Argentina. To this end, camera traps were placed in different plant communities of this reserve and they were used from January 2015 to December 2016. A total of 256 independent events, with a sampling effort of 1811 camera nights, were obtained. The following species were identified in order of relative abundance: Conepatus chinga, Lycalopex gymnocercus, Leopardus geoffroyi, Puma concolor, and Leopardus colocolo, and the activity patterns of the first three were estimated. Those of P. concolor and L. colocolo could not be estimated as insufficient independent events were obtained. Our results show a cathemeral activity pattern in C. chinga and L. geoffroyi and a more nocturnal pattern in L. gymnocercus. Our results highlight the need to expand the sampling area to obtain further details on the behavioral patterns and population parameters of the carnivores identified. Knowledge of ecological issues, such as relative abundance and activity patterns of carnivorous mammals, is imperative to formulate monitoring and conservation programs.

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Germán Jiménez ◽  
Natalia López-Cepeda ◽  
Andrea Delgado ◽  
Ana María Guevara ◽  
Laura Lozano

<p>Between the second semester of 2009 and the first semester of 2011, camera traps were set up in conserved and disturbed habitats in the Otún Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary. From a sampling effort of 2,066 camera-days, 673 photographs of 157 independent events were obtained for eight species of wild mammals and a domestic one. Their activity patterns were mainly nocturnal even for those species reported as diurnal. The impact of human interference and exotic species was evident for two species: <em>Tapirus pinchaque</em> and <em>Cerdocyon thous</em>. The former was observed below its altitudinal range with activity patterns mainly crepuscular and nocturnal. The second was observed in the same habitats where domestic dogs were found, with activity patterns mainly crepuscular and nocturnal. These findings suggest that both species have altered their activity patterns. Actions must be focused on decreasing the interaction of these mammals with humans and domestic dogs.</p>


2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 1407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iván Lira-Torres ◽  
Miguel Briones-Salas ◽  
Gerardo Sánchez-Rojas

Baird’s tapir (<em>Tapirus bairdii</em>) is endangered primarily because of habitat loss and fragmentation, and overhunting throughout its distribution range. One of the priority land areas for the conservation of this species is the Northern part of its range in the Chimalapas forest, Oaxaca. The aim of this research was to determine the relative abundance, population structure, habitat preferences and activity patterns of Baird´s tapir (<em>Tapirus bairdii</em>) in the Chimalapas forest, Oaxaca, Mexico, through the non-invasive technique of camera-trap sampling. A total of five sampling sessions were undertaken among 2009-2013, and used a total of 30 camera-traps in each period. The determinant factor of the sampling design was the hunting between two study areas. A total sampling effort of 9 000 trap-days allowed to estimate an index of relative abundance (IRA) of 6.77 tapir photographs/1 000 trap-days (n=61). IRA varied significantly between sampling stations (Mann-Whitney, p&lt;0.01). The frequency of Baird´s tapir photos was higher in the dry season in tropical rain forest without hunting (<em>x</em>², p&lt;0.5). In the rainy season, the tropical rain forest and secondary vegetation habitats showed higher photo frequency than expected from random (<em>x</em>², p&lt;0.5). Considering population structure, a 95.08% of adult animals was obtained in photographic records (n=58). Three types of activity pattern were observed, with more nocturnal records (88.33%; Kruskal-Wallis, p&lt;0.05). The Chimalapas forest appears to be the second most important terrestrial priority ecoregion, just after the Mayan Forest (Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo), for the conservation of tapir populations, not only for Mexico but also for Central America.


2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Giovanii Estrada Hernández

RESUMEN: La Selva Maya es el bosque tropical de hoja ancha más extenso de Centroamérica, se extiende entre México, Guatemala y Belice. El jaguar y el puma, son los felinos más grandes de América. En esta zona viven simpátricamente por lo que se presupone segregación en alguno de los componentes de su nicho ecológico. En este estudio se analizaron y compararon tres de los componentes principales del nicho: dieta, uso de hábitat y patrones de actividad, con el objetivo de evaluar si existe segregación entre el jaguar y el puma. Para la obtención de los datos se colectaron excrementos de manera oportunista, y se utilizaron trampas de cámaras automáticas en cuatro áreas protegidas. Se analizo la zona de estudio, a través de sistemas de información geográfica para determinar las proporciones de distintos tipos de hábitat presentes, y se colectaron datos de abundancias de las presas. Se analizaron los patrones y en la dieta, en el hábitat utilizado y en el horario de actividad. Se determino que el jaguar tuvo una dieta diferente y mas amplia comparada con la del puma, así también que este consume en promedio, presas más pequeñas. Las presas preferidas por elpuma fueron, tres especies de venados y tepezcuintles. Para el jaguar fueron coches de monte, pizotes y armadillos. Ambas especies presentaron un patrón similar de uso de hábitat, donde el "bosque alto" fue utilizado proporcionalmente a su abundancia, y el puma evitó el "bosque bajo". En cuanto a los patrones de actividad, ambos prefirieron horas nocturnas para desplazarse, aunque el puma presento mayor variabilidad. Se observo que ambas especies no se segregan mutuamente, espacial ni temporalmente. La frecuente utilización del "bosque bajo" y su relación con las aguadas y arroyos, es un factor importante en el mantenimiento de poblaciones de grandes felinos en la Selva MayaPALABRAS CLAVE: Felidae, Panthera onca, Puma concolor, coexistencia, nicho ecológico, Selva Maya, segregación ecológica.ABSTRACT: The Mayan Forest is the largest tropical broad-leaf forest remainder in Central America which extends between Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. Jaguar and puma are the biggest American wild cats. In this area both live sympatric which suggest segregation in at least one of its ecological niche components. In this study I analyzed and compared three of the principal niche components: diet, habitat use and activity patterns, with the main objective of assess if occurs ecological segregation among jaguar and puma. To obtain the data it was collected  jaguar and puma’s scats in an opportunistic way, and was used automatic camera traps in four protected areas. I analyzed the study area by geographic information system (GIS) to determine proportions of different habitat types, and also I used  previous collected prey abundance data. I analyzed patterns in diet, in habitat use and temporal activity. I found that jaguar had a wider prey spectrum than puma; jaguar took (in average) smallest preys, consequently, diets were significantly different. Puma preferred deer, brocket deer and paca as main prey; in contrast, jaguar preferred collared pecari, coati and armadillo. Both predator species presented a similar pattern in habitat usage, in which "highland forest" was used accordingly with its availability and puma avoided "lowland forest". About activity patterns, both were more active in the night time, however, puma was more variable in this aspect. Both species did not show segregation spatially or temporally. KEYWORDS: Felidae, Panthera onca, Puma concolor, coexistence, ecologic niche, Mayan forest, ecologic segregation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 267-278
Author(s):  
J. C. Cepeda–Duque ◽  
B. Gómez–Valencia ◽  
S. Alvarez ◽  
D. R. Gutiérrez–Sanabria ◽  
D. J. Lizcano

Ecosystems in the northern Andes face unprecedented habitat loss. Pumas are the top predators in the region and exert key ecological functions, such as population control and resource facilitation. However, little is known about the temporal niche of the species or its effects on behaviour of prey in the tropics. We hypothesized that there is a link between the activity patterns of pumas and their prey in a cloud forest of the Central Andes of Colombia. We installed 61 camera traps to estimate the degree of overlap between the daily activity curves of pumas and seven potential prey species, using conditional kernel density functions. Pumas, armadillos, mountain pacas, and white–eared opossums were mainly nocturnal, with little crepuscular activity and high temporal overlap. Central American agouti, mountain coati, little red brocket deer, and Cauca guan displayed a predominantly diurnal activity and temporal partitioning with pumas. As opportunistic predators, pumas were able to maximize foraging efficiency by preying on the crepuscular and nocturnal species. Conservation of this highland predator will largely depend on the suitable management of its native prey.


Mammalia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 81 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfredo H. Zúñiga ◽  
Jaime E. Jiménez ◽  
Pablo Ramírez de Arellano

AbstractSpecies interactions determine the structure of biological communities. In particular, interference behavior is critical as dominant species can displace subordinate species depending on local ecological conditions. In carnivores, the outcome of interference may have important consequences from the point of view of conservation, especially when vulnerable species are the ones suffering displacement. Using 24 baited camera traps and a sampling effort of 2821 trap nights, we examined the activity patterns and spatial overlap of an assemblage of five sympatric carnivores in the Nahuelbuta Mountain Range, in southern-central Chile. In this forested landscape we found predominantly nocturnal activity in all species, but not for the puma (


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Alejandra Buenrostro-Silva ◽  
Daniela Sigüenza Pérez ◽  
Jesús García-Grajales

RESUMENLos mamíferos carnívoros desempeñan un rol importante en la estructura de las comunidades; sin embargo, los estudios sobre este grupo son complicados debido a sus estilos de vida, por lo que aún existen vacíos de información biológica. En este estudio se utilizaron trampas cámara en cuatro localidades de la costa central de Oaxaca, México. El trabajo se efectuó de septiembre de 2009 a agosto de 2010, con un esfuerzo total de 1012 días/trampa. Se obtuvieron 160 registros fotográficos independientes de ochos especies de mamíferos carnívoros y respecto a las presas potenciales se registraron cinco especies de mamíferos, dos especies de reptiles y dos grupos (aves y ratones). De acuerdo al Índice de Abundancia Relativa obtenido, los carnívoros más abundantes fueron Spilogale pygmaea, Urocyon cinereoargenteus y Nasua narica, mientras que las presas potenciales más abundantes fueron Didelphis virginiana, Dasypus novemcinctus y el grupo de los ratones. El patrón de actividad de las especies registradas mostró que el 73.8% son de hábitos nocturnos. El ganado vacuno de libre pastoreo mostró una abundancia que podría tener impactos en el ambiente natural y el nivel de recursos disponibles para la fauna silvestre de la región.Palabras clave: Cámaras-trampa, Carnívora, Oaxaca, patrón de actividad, Tututepec.ABSTRACTCarnivorous mammals play an important role on the community structure, however information gaps exist on their current situation debt to their nocturnal habits, evasive behavior and low population densities. In this study, we used camera traps to obtain records of mammal carnivores and their potential prey in four localities in the coastal central of Oaxaca, Mexico. The study was conducted from September 2009 to August 2010, with a total sampling effort of 1,012 trap/days. We obtained 160 independent photographs records of eights carnivorous mammal species and regarding potential prey we obtained five mammals species, two reptile species and two groups (birds and mice). According with the two Relative Abundance Index obtained Spilogale pygmaea, Urocyon cinereoargenteus y Nasua narica were the most abundant carnivorous mammals while that Didelphis virginiana, Dasypus novemcinctus and the mice group were the most abundant potential prey. The activity patterns of the species showed that 73.8% of them are nocturnal. The free range cattle showed an abundance that could have impacts in the natural environment and the level of resources available for the wildlife in the region.Key words: Camera-traps, Carnivora, Oaxaca, activity patterns, Tututepec.


2020 ◽  
Vol 60 ◽  
pp. e20206030
Author(s):  
Daniel Rodríguez ◽  
Adriana Reyes ◽  
Andres Quiñones-Guerrero ◽  
Fidel Ernesto Poveda-Gómez ◽  
Yeimy Castillo-Navarro ◽  
...  

The Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) population density and relative abundance within the Chingaza Massif were assessed between September 2015 and May 2016. One hundred seventeen (117) camera traps were installed at 9 grids: 13 cameras per grid, each camera separated 750 m from the other; the sampling effort was 17,057 days-trap. Two thousand seven hundred eighty-four (2,784) native fauna records were obtained, 1,456 corresponding to mammals, 183 records for Andean bear specimens, 158 of them independent bear records (at least one hour between records), and 106 effective-independent bear records (also permitting individual recognition). Fifty-seven (57) Andean bear individuals were identified according to key external morphological features. Sixteen (16) adults were recaptured (12 males and 4 females), with a maximum mean distance of 27.22 km. Bears population density was 2.9 bears per 100 km². Based on this density and the buffer area of the sampling grids, we estimated an overall number of 122 bears in 4,215.15 km². The estimated density is the first for the species in Colombia and the lowest regarding previous reports from other countries. Thus, it is necessary to better understand how integral habitat quality and the anthropic impacts on habitat quality, availability, and connectivity may affect the Andean bear population densities in Colombia, as a useful tool for assessing populations` state and focus future conservation actions.


Mammalia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Marcos Ayala ◽  
María Estela Viscarra ◽  
Pedro Sarmento ◽  
Nuno Negrões ◽  
Carlos Fonseca ◽  
...  

AbstractActivity pattern studies can help explain the coexistence of competing species. Between 2001 and 2017 we evaluated the activity pattern overlap of jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor), and their main prey, using camera traps at 17 Amazonian sites in the Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape. We used the Kernel density estimation to generate species activity patterns and the overlap between both cats. We then calculated the overlap coefficient (Δ) by carrying out 10,000 bootstraps (95%). Both cats were active 24 h a day. The puma has higher nocturnal activity (57%), whilst jaguar activity is split almost equally between night (53%) and day (47%). We did not find temporal segregation between jaguars and pumas, which showed similar activity patterns with a high overlapping coefficient (Δ4 = 0.84; 0.78–0.91). Also, we did not find significant differences between Male and Female activity patterns for both species (X2 = 0.50, gl = 1, P = 0.47). Moreover, both cats had significant overlap with the activity patterns of their main prey. Temporal segregation was not detected in any of our study sites within the Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape, suggesting that in this region, these predators employ other mechanisms to avoid competition.


2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 634
Author(s):  
Julio C. Hernández Hernández ◽  
Cuauhtémoc Chávez ◽  
Rurik List

Diversity and activity patterns of medium and large mammals in La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, Mexico. In Mexico, wetlands occupy an important portion of the country, among them, mangroves are particularly diverse. La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve (ENBIRE) is a coastal ecosystem of mangrove located along the Pacific Coastal Plain in the Southwestern portion of Chiapas state. The ENBIRE mangroves are among the most important of the American Pacific Coast, highlighting the role they play in the maintenance of the community of mammals on the coast of the state. There are few studies in Mexico related to the mammals associated with these ecosystems, our aim was to estimate the diversity and activity patterns of medium and large mammals in the ENBIRE. Sampling was conducted from August 2015 to August 2016 using camera traps. We obteined 1 851 independent photographs records, with a total sampling effort of 5 400 trap-days. Nineteen species of mammals were registered belonging to 15 families and seven orders, and five species were new records to the area. Six species present are listed, two as endangered and four as threatened. Interpolation and extrapolation analyzes showed an asymptotic trend in the curves for the rainy and dry seasons. The coverage of the sample for both seasons was 99.9 % and 99.8 %, respectively, indicating that both cases were a representative sample. According to the relative abundance index obtained, the most abundant species were Procyon lotor (IAR = 4.35), Nasua narica (IAR = 3.91), Philander opossum (IAR = 2.04), Cuniculus paca (IAR = 1.89), Didelphis marsupialis (IAR = 1.67) and Dasypus novemcinctus (IAR = 1.02). In terms of patterns of activity C. paca, P. opossum, D. marsupialis and D. novemcinctus were primarily nocturnal; P. lotor showed a tendency towards nocturnal habits but was also recorded during the day; N. narica was mainly diurnal. This information can be useful to the creation of management programs and the conservation of medium and large mammals in the ENBIRE, especially for species at risk. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 634-646. Epub 2018 June 01. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosane Vera Marques ◽  
Marta Elena Fabián

Camera traps were used to study the daily activity patterns of medium and large mammals (> 1 kg) in an area of Mixed Rain Forest (High Altitude Atlantic Forest) in the South of Brazil. Species that exhibited diurnal tendencies were Dasyprocta azarae, Eira barbara, Nasua nasua and Puma yagouaroundi. The nocturnal species observed were Dasypus novemcinctus, Tamandua tetradactyla and Procyon cancrivorus.  Didelphis aurita, Leopardus pardalis and L. wiedii exhibited nocturnal tendencies. Cerdocyon thous tended to be more crepuscular than nocturnal. Puma concolor exhibited a tendency to nocturnal and crepuscular activity, but diurnal activity was also observed. Finally, the species Mazama gouazoubira and Leopardus tigrinus were defined as cathemeral. While many species exhibited a tendency for the majority of their activity to be concentrated at certain times, there was no time during which medium and large mammal activity entirely ceased, demonstrating a balanced daily distribution of activity in a Mixed Rain Forest. There were differences in activity patterns between different seasons, especially between summer and winter, with nocturnal species exhibiting a tendency to more intense activity during the first half of the night during the winter and diurnal species tending to be more active at the end of the day during the same season.


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