scholarly journals Activity pattern of medium and large sized mammals and density estimates of Cuniculus paca (Rodentia: Cuniculidae) in the Brazilian Pampa

2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 697-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Leuchtenberger ◽  
Ê. S. de Oliveira ◽  
L. P. Cariolatto ◽  
C. B. Kasper
Keyword(s):  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Total Density ◽  
Circadian Activity ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Pampa Region

Abstract Between July 2014 and April 2015, we conducted weekly inventories of the circadian activity patterns of mammals in Passo Novo locality, municipality of Alegrete, southern Brazil. The vegetation is comprised by a grassy-woody steppe (grassland). We used two camera traps alternately located on one of four 1 km transects, each separated by 1 km. We classified the activity pattern of species by the percentage of photographic records taken in each daily period. We identify Cuniculus paca individuals by differences in the patterns of flank spots. We then estimate the density 1) considering the area of riparian forest present in the sampling area, and 2) through capture/recapture analysis. Cuniculus paca, Conepatus chinga and Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris were nocturnal, Cerdocyon thous had a crepuscular/nocturnal pattern, while Mazama gouazoubira was cathemeral. The patterns of circadian activity observed for medium and large mammals in this Pampa region (southern grasslands) may reflect not only evolutionary, biological and ecological affects, but also human impacts not assessed in this study. We identified ten individuals of C. paca through skin spot patterns during the study period, which were recorded in different transects and months. The minimum population density of C. paca was 3.5 individuals per km2 (resident animals only) and the total density estimates varied from 7.1 to 11.8 individuals per km2, when considering all individuals recorded or the result of the capture/recapture analysis, respectively.

scholarly journals Daily activity of four tropical intertidal hermit crabs from Southeastern Brazil

2003 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 537-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Turra ◽  
M. R. Denadai
Keyword(s):  
High Activity ◽  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Daily Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Hermit Crabs ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Intertidal Flat ◽  
Circadian Activity

This study describes the daily activity in a simulated high tide situation of four species of hermit crabs (Pagurus criniticornis, Clibanarius antillensis, C. sclopetarius, and C. vittatus) that coexist in an intertidal flat in southeastern Brazil. Observations were done in two-hour intervals during two subsequent days (48 h) in three replicate pools with thirty crabs each. Among species (between and within genera) there was an evident variation in activity patterns, of which three could be distinguished. The circadian activity patterns of C. antillensis and C. vittatus could be characterized as evening and nocturnal, with resting peaks during the morning and afternoon. The circadian activity pattern of C. sclopetarius was characterized by two marked peaks of inactivity, corresponding to dawn and evening, which could represent an intrinsic association with the semi-lunar tidal cycles of the study area. Pagurus criniticornis showed high activity not influenced by day/night conditions during the entire observed period. These activity pattern variations of the studied hermit crabs should be taken into account in designing further experiments. More precise and accurate interspecific behavioral comparisons among species could be achieved in nocturnal experiments, the high activity period of all species.

scholarly journals Density Estimates of Unmarked Large Mammals at Camera Traps Vary among Models, Species, and Years, Signalling Importance of Model Assumptions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Fisher ◽  
Joanna Burgar ◽  
Melanie Dickie ◽  
Cole Burton ◽  
Rob Serrouya
Keyword(s):  
Density Estimation ◽  
Black Bear ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
Movement Rates ◽  
Social Species ◽  
Marked Variability ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Best Fitting

Density estimation is a key goal in ecology but accurate estimates remain elusive, especially for unmarked animals. Data from camera-trap networks combined with new density estimation models can bridge this gap but recent research has shown marked variability in accuracy, precision, and concordance among estimators. We extend this work by comparing estimates from two different classes of models: unmarked spatial capture-recapture (spatial count, SC) models, and Time In Front of Camera (TIFC) models, a class of random encounter model. We estimated density for four large mammal species with different movement rates, behaviours, and sociality, as these traits directly relate to model assumptions. TIFC density estimates were typically higher than SC model estimates for all species. Black bear TIFC estimates were ~ 10-fold greater than SC estimates. Caribou TIFC estimates were 2-10 fold greater than SC estimates. White-tailed deer TIFC estimates were up to 100-fold greater than SC estimates. Differences of 2-5 fold were common for other species in other years. SC estimates were annually stable except for one social species; TIFC estimates were highly annually variable in some cases and consistent in others. Tests against densities obtained from DNA surveys and aerial surveys also showed variable concordance and divergence. For gregarious animals TIFC may outperform SC due to the latter model’s assumption of independent activity centres. For curious animals likely to investigate camera traps, SC may outperform TIFC, which assumes animal behavior is unaffected by cameras. Unmarked models offer great possibilities, but a pragmatic approach employs multiple estimators where possible, considers the ecological plausibility of assumptions, and uses an informed multi-inference approach to seek estimates from models with assumptions best fitting a species’ biology.

Circadian flight activity of Arabian sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) using a vehicle-mounted net

1996 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.M. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Flight Activity ◽  
Circadian Activity ◽  
Light Intensities ◽  
Early Peak ◽  
Two Peaks

AbstractA vehicle-mounted net was used on 15 nights during June 1990 and 1991 in northern Oman to collect sandflies in order to identify potential vectors of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis. A total of 2216 sandflies was collected comprising four species of Phlebotomus and three of Sergentomyia. Catches were made every 30 minutes between 17.00 h (2 hours before sunset) and 07.00 h (1.5 hours after sunrise). Very few flies were caught before sunset. Most flies were caught at light intensities < 0.1 lux (between 20.00 and 0.500 h), but some flight activity, particularly of males and unfed females, continued even up to 07.00 h (50,000 lux, 1.25 hours after sunrise). Females of the two most abundant species, Phlebotomus alexandri Sinton and Sergentomyia clydei Sinton were significantly more active during the first half of the night (19.00-01.00 h), but males were not. Males of S. clydei showed no clear activity pattern, while males of P. alexandri had two peaks with a decline in activity around 01.00 h. Sergentomyia tiberiadis Adler & Theodor and S. fallax Parrot similarly showed different activity patterns for the two sexes. The circadian activity of females of P. alexandri and S. clydei changed during their gonotrophic cycles. Thus unfed and gravid P. alexandri had two activity peaks during the night, but the blood-fed females were most active during the first half of the night. S. clydei activity was similar, except that the gravid flies, like the blood-fed, had an early peak of activity. Too few parous females were collected to show any clear difference in activity from the nullipars.

scholarly journals Identifying individual cougars (Puma concolor) in remote camera images – implications for population estimates

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter D. Alexander ◽  
Eric M. Gese
Keyword(s):  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Camera Trapping ◽  
Field Methods ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
North West ◽  
Photo Identification ◽  
Matching Process ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Remote Camera

Context Several studies have estimated cougar (Puma concolor) abundance using remote camera trapping in conjunction with capture–mark–recapture (CMR) type analyses. However, this methodology (photo-CMR) requires that photo-captured individuals are individually recognisable (photo identification). Photo identification is generally achieved using naturally occurring marks (e.g. stripes or spots) that are unique to each individual. Cougars, however, are uniformly pelaged, and photo identification must be based on subtler attributes such as scars, ear nicks or body morphology. There is some debate as to whether these types of features are sufficient for photo-CMR, but there is little research directly evaluating its feasibility with cougars. Aim We aimed to examine researchers’ ability to reliably identify individual cougars in photographs taken from a camera-trapping survey, in order to evaluate the appropriateness of photo-CMR for estimating cougar abundance or CMR-derived parameters. Methods We collected cougar photo detections using a grid of 55 remote camera traps in north-west Wyoming, USA. The photo detections were distributed to professional biologists working in cougar research, who independently attempted to identify individuals in a pairwise matching process. We assessed the level to which their results agreed, using simple percentage agreement and Fleiss’s kappa. We also generated and compared spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) density estimates using their resultant detection histories. Key results There were no cases where participants were in full agreement on a cougar’s ID. Agreement in photo identification among participants was low (n = 7; simple agreement = 46.7%; Fleiss’s kappa = 0.183). The resultant SECR density estimates ranged from 0.7 to 13.5 cougars per 100 km2 (n = 4; s.d. = 6.11). Conclusion We were unable to produce reliable estimates of cougar density using photo-CMR, due to our inability to accurately photo-tag detected individuals. Abundance estimators that do not require complete photo-tagging (i.e. mark–resight) were also infeasible, given the lack of agreement on any single cougar’s ID. Implications This research suggested that there are substantial problems with the application of photo-CMR to estimate the size of cougar populations. Although improvements in camera technology or field methods may resolve these issues, researchers attempting to use this method on cougars should be cautious.

Diel activity patterns of urban Woodchucks (Marmota monax) revealed by camera traps at burrows in southwestern Ontario, Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-360
Author(s):  
Ronny Steen
Keyword(s):  
Direct Observation ◽  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Daily Activity ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Statistical Modelling ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Diel Activity ◽  
Marmota Monax ◽  
Invasive Method

Animals display a range of diurnal and nocturnal activity patterns and, among mammals, a high proportion of species are crepuscular or nocturnal. Daily activities are often endogenous and oscillate on a light:dark regime. Such cycles are referred to as ‘circadian’ and are generally influenced by biotic and abiotic factors. I investigated the daily activity of urban Woodchucks (Marmota monax) by using 24-hour camera traps at backyard burrows in London, Ontario, Canada, in June. Cameras enabled the collection of data that would otherwise have been labour intensive by direct observation. Statistical modelling showed that Woodchucks exhibited a strictly diurnal activity pattern. The unimodal activity pattern started at sunrise and ended before sunset. The general daily activity trend was similar to the pattern described by others who used direct observations and telemetry to monitor Woodchucks in more rural settings. Temperature and wind were not included in the best-fit model. Camera trapping is a non-invasive method that could give insight to diel activity as it can easily monitor extended periods and reduce the effort required by direct observation.

scholarly journals Human impacts on two endemic cassowary species in Indonesian New Guinea

Oryx ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 354-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jedediah F. Brodie ◽  
Margaretha Pangau-Adam
Keyword(s):  
Human Impacts ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Stage Structure ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Tropical Rainforests ◽  
Multiple Spatial Scales ◽  
Local Abundance ◽  
Lowland Forests

AbstractCassowaries are important seed dispersers in tropical rainforests of New Guinea, but little is known about their population ecology or their responses to human disturbance. We used camera traps to measure the occurrence, local abundance, and activity patterns of northern cassowaries Casuarius unappendiculatus in lowland forests near Nimbokrang, Papua, and dwarf cassowaries Casuarius bennetti in the Arfak Mountains, West Papua. Our goals were to assess human impacts on cassowaries at multiple spatial scales and to measure their activity patterns over an elevational divide. At fine spatial scales local abundance of cassowaries was strongly reduced in areas frequented by humans. At larger spatial scales the distance to the nearest village or drivable road did not affect local abundance but altered the stage structure of the individuals detected, with a higher proportion of juveniles relative to adults. Local abundance of cassowaries was unrelated to site usage by introduced pigs. Both populations studied were strongly diurnal and their activity patterns were not significantly different. Efforts to control hunting remain critical to sustaining cassowaries and the seed dispersal services they provide.

Activity patterns of jaguar and puma and their main prey in the Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape (Bolivia, Peru)

Mammalia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Marcos Ayala ◽  
María Estela Viscarra ◽  
Pedro Sarmento ◽  
Nuno Negrões ◽  
Carlos Fonseca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Main Prey ◽  
Temporal Segregation ◽  
Overlapping Coefficient ◽  
Species Activity ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Overlap Coefficient

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.

Density and activity patterns of Andean cat and pampas cat (Leopardus jacobita and L. colocolo) in the Bolivian Altiplano

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos Huaranca ◽  
Ma. Lilian Villalba ◽  
Nuno Negrões ◽  
Jaime E. Jiménez ◽  
David W. Macdonald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Density Estimator ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Conservation Problem ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Bolivian Altiplano ◽  
Lagidium Viscacia ◽  
Mountain Vizcacha

Abstract ContextUnderstanding the factors that determine the distribution and abundance of species is an important aim of ecology and prerequisite for conservation. The Andean cat (Leopardus jacobita) and the pampas cat (L. colocolo) are two of the least studied felids. Both are threatened, of similar size and live sympatrically in the Andes of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Perú. AimsWe aimed at estimating the population densities of the Andean cat and pampas cat in two continuous areas and to analyse the activity patterns of these two species and that of mountain vizcacha (Lagidium viscacia), the main prey of the Andean cat. MethodsWe used camera traps to evaluate the density of both felid species using the space explicit capture recapture (SECR) framework and the overlap in their activity patterns with that of mountain vizcacha, using the kernel-density estimator in two contiguous areas in the Bolivian Altiplano, at Muro-Amaya and at Micani, both within the Ciudad de Piedra region. Key resultsAndean cat density was estimated at 6.45 individuals per 100km2 in Muro-Amaya and 6.91 individuals per 100km2 in Micani, whereas the density of the pampas cat was 5.31 individuals per 100km2 and 8.99 individuals per 100km2 respectively. The Andean cat was mainly nocturnal, whereas the pampas cat was cathemeral. The activity of the mountain vizcacha overlapped less with that of its specialised predator, the Andean cat, than with that of the pampas cat. ConclusionsIn line with our predictions, the Andean cat, considered a more specialised nocturnal hunter, particularly of mountain vizcacha, had lower population densities than did the more generalist pampas cat. ImplicationsLow population densities, as compared with theoretical expectations, pose an additional conservation problem for these felids, in an area such as the high Andes.

scholarly journals Density estimates and conservation of Leopardus pardalis southernmost population of the Atlantic Forest

2015 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos B. Kasper ◽  
Fábio D. Mazim ◽  
José B. G. Soares ◽  
Tadeu G. de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Camera Traps ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
Leopardus Pardalis ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Habitat Integrity ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Green Corridor ◽  
Term Maintenance

ABSTRACT Using camera traps and capture/recapture analyses we recorded the presence and abundance of cat species at Turvo State Park, in southern Brazil. Ocelot [Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758)] population density was estimated for two areas of the park, with differing management profiles. Density estimates varied from 0.14 to 0.26 indiv. km2. Another five cat species were recorded at very low frequencies, precluding more accurate analyses. We estimate 24 to 45 ocelots occur in the reserve, which is probably too small for long-term maintenance of the population, if isolated. However, if habitat integrity and connectivity between the Park and the Green Corridor of Misiones is maintained, an estimated ocelot population of 1,680 individuals should have long-term viability.

scholarly journals Abundance and density estimates for common leopard Panthera pardus and clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa in Manas National Park, Assam, India

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimmy Borah ◽  
Tridip Sharma ◽  
Dhritiman Das ◽  
Nilmani Rabha ◽  
Niraj Kakati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Camera Trapping ◽  
Spatially Explicit ◽  
Panthera Pardus ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
Clouded Leopard ◽  
Neofelis Nebulosa ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
The Common

AbstractEffective conservation of rare carnivores requires reliable estimates of population density for prioritizing investments and assessing the effectiveness of conservation interventions. We used camera traps and capture–recapture analysis to provide the first reliable abundance and density estimates for the common leopard Panthera pardus and clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa in Manas National Park, India. In 57 days of camera trapping, with a total of 4,275 camera-trap days, we photo-captured 27 individually identified common leopards (11 males, 13 females and three unidentified), and 16 clouded leopards (four males, five females and seven unidentified). The abundance estimates using the Mh jackknife and Pledger model Mh were 47.0 and 35.6, respectively, for the common leopard, and 21.0 and 25.0, respectively, for the clouded leopard. Density estimates using maximum likelihood spatially-explicit capture–recapture were 3.4 ± SE 0.82 and 4.73 ± SE 1.43 per 100 km2 for the common and clouded leopards, respectively. Spatially-explicit capture–recapture provided more realistic density estimates compared with those obtained from conventional methods. Our data indicates that camera trapping using a capture–recapture framework is an effective tool for assessing population sizes of cryptic and elusive carnivores such as the common and clouded leopards. The study has established a baseline for the long-term monitoring programme for large carnivores in Manas National Park.

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