Successional stage effect on the availability of tree cavities for cavity-nesting birds in an Atlantic Forest park from the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract The availability of suitable cavities and substrate for hole construction can limit the populations of birds that rely on tree hollows to reproduce. Several studies have focused on the effects of types of habitats, and types of human disturbances on cavities abundance, but the effect of successional stages in the Atlantic Forest has been poorly addressed. In this study we aimed to compare the availability and biometric characteristics of tree cavities between primary and mid-successional stage sites in an Atlantic Forest area from southeastern Brazil. Based on nest characteristics described in the literature, we inferred if hollows present in secondary sites could harbor the large secondary-nester Atlantic Forest birds, with special attention to toucans and hawks. From September 2016 to April 2017, 96 cavities were sampled, 67 in the primary, and 29 in the secondary plots. Our data revealed that the communities of cavity-nester birds in mid-successional stage areas may be more affected by the reduced cavity availability than by cavities quality, as the number of cavities in these sites was less than half than that found in mature forests. We also provide evidences that the largest cavity nesters, such as the biggest hawks, might have limited nesting possibilities in mid-successional stage areas especially due to small cavity entrances, which may have important reflects in conservation strategies.

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Human-modified landscape acts as refuge for mammals in Atlantic Forest

Biota Neotropica ◽

10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2017-0395 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Alex Augusto de Abreu Bovo ◽

Marcelo Magioli ◽

Alexandre Reis Percequillo ◽

Cecilia Kruszynski ◽

Vinicius Alberici ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Puma Concolor ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Southeastern Brazil ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Domestic Cats ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Species List ◽

Generalist Species

Abstract: Human-modified landscapes (HMLs) are composed by small, isolated and defaunated forest fragments, which are surrounded by agricultural and urban areas. Information on species that thrives in these HMLs is essential to direct conservation strategies in local and regional scales. Since HMLs are dominant in the Atlantic Forest, we aimed to assess the mammalian diversity in a HML in southeastern Brazil and to propose conservation strategies. We collected data of terrestrial (small-, medium- and large-sized) and volant mammals in three small forest fragments (10, 14 and 26 ha) and adjacent areas, between 2003 and 2016, using complementary methods: active search, camera trapping, live-traps, mist nets and occasional records (i.e., roadkills). In addition, we used secondary data to complement our species list. We recorded 35 native mammal species (6 small-sized, 16 medium- and large-sized, and 13 bats) and seven exotic species in the HML. The recorded mammal assemblage (non-volant and volant), although mainly composed of common and generalist species, includes three medium- and large-sized species nationally threatened (Leopardus guttulus, Puma concolor and Puma yagouaroundi) and two data deficient species (Galictis cuja and Histiotus velatus), highlighting the importance of this HML for the maintenance and conservation of mammal populations. Despite highly impacted by anthropogenic disturbances, the study area harbors a significant richness of medium- and large-sized mammals, being an important biodiversity refuge in the region. However, this biodiversity is threatened by the low quality of the habitats, roadkills and abundant populations of domestic cats and dogs. Therefore, we stress the need of conservation strategies focusing on the medium- and large-sized mammals as an umbrella group, which could benefit all biodiversity in the landscape. We recommend actions that promotes biological restoration, aiming to increase structural composition and connectivity of the forest fragments, reducing roadkills and controlling the domestic cats and dogs' populations, in order to maintain and improve the diversity of mammals in long-term.

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Small mammals in nests of cavity-nesting birds: Why should ornithologists study rodents?

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z07-139 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 86 (4) ◽

pp. 286-293 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

D. Czeszczewik ◽

W. Walankiewicz ◽

M. Stańska

Keyword(s):

Small Mammals ◽

Mammalian Species ◽

Breeding Ecology ◽

Managed Forests ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Tree Cavities ◽

Cavity Nesters ◽

Cavity Nesting ◽

Yellow Necked Mouse

We analyze the frequency of occurrence of small mammals recorded in natural cavities and nest boxes in the Białowieża Forest (eastern Poland) and also describe some parameters of tree cavities. A total of 748 cavities and 60 nest boxes in primeval tree stands and 190 nest boxes in managed tree stands were monitored. Both cavities and nest boxes in primeval stands were occupied by mammals less often than nest boxes in managed stands (0.70%, 0.12%, and 1.26%, respectively). The following mammal species were recorded in natural cavities: Eurasian red squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris L., 1758), forest dormouse ( Dryomys nitedula (Pallas, 1778)), yellow-necked mouse ( Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834)), and bats (Microchiroptera species). Three mammalian species were recorded in nest boxes: forest dormouse, fat dormouse ( Myoxus glis (L., 1766)), and yellow-necked mouse. The attractiveness of the boxes for mammals increases in managed forests, probably because of a shortage of natural cavities. We suggest that the role of rodents in the breeding ecology of cavity-nesters is underestimated, since studies on natural cavities are rather rare and the species identities of nest predators are most likely poorly recognized. To understand the breeding ecology of birds, ornithologists should study the population dynamics of mammals and the manner in which they use tree cavities and nest boxes.

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Factors Influencing Occupancy of Nest Cavities in Recently Burned Forests

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/106.1.20 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 106 (1) ◽

pp. 20-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Victoria A. Saab ◽

Jonathan Dudley ◽

William L. Thompson

Keyword(s):

Time Frame ◽

Early Years ◽

Western North America ◽

Tree Cavities ◽

Cavity Nesters ◽

Cavity Nesting ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Predicted Probability ◽

Burned Site ◽

Space Effects

Abstract Recently burned forests in western North America provide nesting habitat for many species of cavity-nesting birds. However, little is understood about the time frame and the variables affecting occupancy of postfire habitats by these birds. We studied factors influencing the occupancy and reuse of nest cavities from 1–7 years after fire in two burned sites of western Idaho during 1994–1999. Tree cavities were used for nesting by 12 species of cavity nesters that were classified by the original occupant (strong excavator, weak excavator, or nonexcavator) of 385 nest cavities. We used logistic regression to model cavity occupancy by strong excavators (n = 575 trials) and weak excavators (n = 206 trials). Year after fire had the greatest influence on occupancy of nest cavities for both groups, while site of the burn was secondarily important in predicting occupancy by strong excavators and less important for weak excavators. Predicted probability of cavity occupancy was highest during the early years (1–4) after fire, declined over time (5–7 years after fire), and varied by site, with a faster decline in the smaller burned site with a greater mosaic of unburned forest. Closer proximity and greater interspersion of unburned forest (15% unburned) may have allowed a quicker recolonization by nest predators into the smaller burn compared to the larger burn with few patches of unburned forest (4% unburned). In combination with time and space effects, the predicted probability of cavity occupancy was positively affected by tree and nest heights for strong and weak excavators, respectively. Factores que Influencian la Ocupación de Cavidades de Nidificación en Bosques Recientemente Quemados Resumen. Los bosques del oeste de América del Norte que han sido recientemente quemados proveen hábitat de nidificación para muchas especies de aves que nidifican en cavidades. Sin embargo, se sabe poco sobre el marco temporal y las variables que afectan la ocupación por parte de las aves de los hábitats luego del fuego. Entre 1994 y 1999, estudiamos los factores que influencian la ocupación y el uso repetido de las cavidades de nidificación entre 1 y 7 años luego del fuego, en dos sitios quemados en el oeste de Idaho. Las cavidades de los árboles fueron usadas para nidificar por 12 especies de aves, las que fueron clasificadas (385 cavidades) según el ocupante original (excavador fuerte, excavador débil y no excavador). Usamos regresión logística para modelar la ocupación de las cavidades por parte de excavadores fuertes (n = 575 pruebas) y débiles (n = 206 pruebas). El año luego del fuego tuvo la mayor influencia en la ocupación de las cavidades de nidificación para ambos grupos, mientras que el sitio de la quema tuvo una importancia secundaria en predecir la ocupación por parte de excavadores fuertes y menos importancia por parte de excavadores débiles. La probabilidad predicha de ocupación de las cavidades fue mayor durante los primeros años (1–4) luego del fuego, declinó con el tiempo (5–7 años luego del fuego) y varió entre sitios, con una disminución más rápida en el sitio quemado más pequeño que presentó un mayor mosaico de bosque no quemado. La proximidad y la mayor dispersión de bosques no quemados (15% no quemado) puede haber permitido una recolonización más rápida de los depredadores de nidos en el sitio quemado pequeño, comparado con el sitio quemado mayor que presentó pocos parches de bosque no quemado (4% no quemado). En combinación con los efectos de tiempo y espacio, la probabilidad predicha de ocupación de cavidades fue afectada positivamente por la altura de los árboles y de los nidos para los excavadores fuertes y débiles, respectivamente.

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Natural history of the marsupial frog Gastrotheca albolineata (Anura: Hemiphractidae) in lowland Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Phyllomedusa Journal of Herpetology ◽

10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v19i2p189-200 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 189-200

Author(s):

Edelcio Muscat ◽

Rafael Costabile Menegucci ◽

Rafael Mitsuo Tanaka ◽

Elsie Rotenberg ◽

Matheus de Toledo Moroti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

Atlantic Forest ◽

Site Fidelity ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Southeastern Brazil ◽

Brazilian Atlantic Forest ◽

Active Season ◽

Calling Activity ◽

History Of ◽

Elusive Species

Natural history of the marsupial frog Gastrotheca albolineata (Anura: Hemiphractidae) in lowland Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Gastrotheca albolineata is a marsupial frog endemic to the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. It remains poorly studied in nature and is uncommon in herpetological collections. We studied the natural history of G. albolineata during a four-year period (2015 to 2019), in Ubatuba, São Paulo state, Brazil, at its southernmost distribution. Our results show that G. albolineata is arboreal, perches from low to medium heights, and breeds during the dry season without chorus aggregation. Calling activity occurs during the day but is more intense during the first half of the night. We used dorsal body markings to identify individuals. Six individuals were recaptured during the study, indicating site fidelity during the active season. The defensive repertory of G. albolineata contains seven different behaviors, including a high-pitched distress call. Egg development in the female’s dorsal pouch took at least 87 days, and fully formed froglets were born with a snout–vent length of 16 mm. Our data substantially add to the knowledge of the natural history of Brazilian marsupial frogs and can be helpful to delineate conservation strategies for elusive species such as G. albolineata.

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Spatiotemporal variation in phyllostomid bat assemblages over a successional gradient in a tropical dry forest in southeastern Brazil

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467413000862 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 123-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Luiz Alberto Dolabela Falcão ◽

Mário Marcos do Espírito-Santo ◽

Lemuel Olívio Leite ◽

Raphael Neiva Souza Lima Garro ◽

Luis Daniel Avila-Cabadilla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tropical Dry Forest ◽

Spatiotemporal Variation ◽

Dry Forest ◽

Southeastern Brazil ◽

Successional Stage ◽

Future Studies ◽

Eastern Brazil ◽

Successional Gradient ◽

Successional Stages ◽

Landscape Level

Abstract:The aim of this study was to investigate the spatiotemporal variation in richness, abundance, structure and composition of phyllostomid bats over a successional gradient in a tropical dry forest in south-eastern Brazil. Four successional stages (pasture, early, intermediate and late) were sampled in the northern part of the state of Minas Gerais. Bats were sampled using mist nets at three sites for each of the four successional stages (12 sites in total) during eight periods between 2007 and 2009. A total of 537 individuals were captured (29 recaptured), distributed among four families and 22 species. Bat abundance and richness varied in space, being higher in the late-successional stage, and over time, being significantly lower during the dry season. When compared between guilds, only the abundance of omnivores varied significantly during the sampled months. Our results demonstrate that areas of late-successional stages showed higher bat richness and abundance in comparison with areas undergoing secondary succession. Our results also suggest the use of early-successional areas as flying routes by bats can lead to failure to detect differences in bat composition within successional gradients. We suggest future studies should assimilate landscape-level analyses into their studies to better evaluate the effects of successional gradients on bat assemblages.

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Does the Genetic Diversity of Macuilillo, Oreopanax xalapensis (Araliaceae), Change Along Successional Gradients of the Montane Cloud Forest?

Tropical Conservation Science ◽

10.1177/1940082919872923 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 194008291987292

Author(s):

Farah Z. Vera-Maloof ◽

Lorena Ruiz-Montoya ◽

Neptalí Ramírez-Marcial

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Population Size ◽

Forest Succession ◽

Cloud Forest ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Age Classes ◽

Successional Stage ◽

Montane Cloud Forest ◽

Successional Species ◽

Successional Stages

Forest regeneration after human-induced or natural disturbances results in a sequential replacement of species, starting with colonizing of pioneer species that modifies the physical conditions of the environment, which later allows the establishment of mid- and late-successional species. Whether the forest succession implies a reduction of population size of tree species might be expected a less genetic diversity in populations inhabiting oldest succession stages. We aimed to study whether genetic diversity of Macuilillo, Oreopanax xalapensis (a understory tree), decreases in advanced age-classes and in late successional of montane cloud forest at Huitepec Ecological Reserve (Chiapas, Mexico). We counted individuals from three age classes: seedlings, saplings, and young reproductive individuals in nine plots along three successional stages (early-, middle-, and late-successional forests). Seven enzyme systems (SOD, AP, FUM, G6PDH, GOT, GPI, and G3PDH) were used to obtain common genetic diversity; Φ-statistics and a Bayesian model were used to infer population structure. At the early-successional stage, O. xalapensis had a bigger population size and significantly high numbers of seedlings. In general, among the successional stages, the genetic diversity of O. xalapensis was moderate to high ( He = 0.25–0.46); the saplings presented the highest expected genetic diversity ( He). Populations were genetically structured by age-classes but not by successional stages. The successional stages affected the demographic dynamics with a mild impact on the genetic structure across age-classes of O. xalapensis. The scenic and recreational conservation strategies implemented in this forest have effectively allowed for population development of O. xalapensis and provide some explanation of genetic diversity at early-succession stage.

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Non-volant small mammals at an Atlantic forest area situated nearby a limestone quarry (Limeira quarry), state of São Paulo, Brazil

Biota Neotropica ◽

10.1590/s1676-06032012000400020 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 191-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Natália Oliveira Leiner ◽

Wesley Rodrigues Silva

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Small Mammal ◽

Pitfall Trap ◽

Forest Area ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Southeastern Brazil ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Limestone Quarry ◽

Mammal Communities

Our aim was to survey the non-flying small mammals inhabiting an Atlantic forest area situated nearby a limestone quarry (Limeira quarry), located at Ribeirão Grande municipality (SP), southeastern Brazil. Species were captured with pitfall and Sherman traps along eight pairs of 60 m transects distributed at four different distances from the quarry (60, 220, 740 and 1300 m). Between October 2005 and January 2008, 20 small mammal species (11 rodents and nine marsupials) were captured through 4080 pitfall trap-nights and 2040 Sherman trap-nights. The high values of richness, diversity (H' = 2.65) and equability (J = 0.88), and the presence of endemic and threatened species indicates a preserved study site and small mammal assemblage. Marmosops incanus, Monodelphis americana and Oligoryzomys nigripes were the commonest species at the study site. Trapping sites located closer to the quarry (60 and 220 m away from the quarry) presented lower richness and were dominated by disturbance-tolerant species, such as O. nigripes, that usually benefit from habitat alterations. On the other hand, sites located away from the quarry and closer to Serra do Mar Protected Area (740 and 1300 m away from the quarry) presented higher richness and diversity, and a higher abundance of disturbance-intolerant species. These results suggest a negative distance-dependent impact of quarrying on small mammal communities. In this way, our results point out to the importance of long-term monitoring of quarrying impacts on small non-flying mammal communities and populations, and the need of conservation strategies in order to ensure species persistence in these areas.

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