scholarly journals Activity patterns of medium and large mammals in two savanna ecosystems in the Colombian Llanos

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Castillo-Figueroa ◽  
Daniela Martínez-Medina ◽  
Miguel E. Rodríguez-Posada
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Large Mammals ◽  
Continuous Processes ◽  
Similar Activity ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Neotropical Savannas ◽  
History Of ◽  
Oil Gas

Neotropical savannas have undergone continuous processes of landscape transformation (e.g., agriculture, oil, gas, and hydrocarbon industry) and very little is known about the ecology and natural history of key biological groups such as terrestrial mammals while the information on behavioral aspects of mammalian species in these ecosystems is very scarce. Here, we aimed to describe the activity patterns of medium and large mammals in two savanna ecosystems in the Colombian Llanos. A set of 60 camera traps was installed in the two ecosystems for 35 days (2100 camera days). We described the activity patterns of nine predominantly nocturnal species. We found no difference in circadian distributions of mammals between ecosystems. Cuniculus paca Linnaeus 1758 and Dasyprocta fuliginosa Wagler 1832 showed patterns of exclusion probably due to competition whereas other species like Tamandua tetradactyla Linnaeus1758 and Myrmecophaga tridactyla Linnaeus 1758 displayed similar activity patterns. We highlight the importance of savannas for the conservation of these species and discuss the relevance of studies on activity patterns for mammal ecology and conservation in Neotropical savannas. 

scholarly journals Relative abundance and activity patterns of terrestrial mammals in Pacuare Nature Reserve, Costa Rica

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-21
Author(s):  
Stephanny Arroyo-Arce ◽  
Ian Thomson ◽  
Carlos Fernandez ◽  
Roberto Salom-Perez
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Central American ◽  
Leopardus Pardalis ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
History Of

Located in Costa Rica, Pacuare Nature Reserve has a long established history of wildlife monitoring programs primarily focused on species of nesting marine turtles and the Agami herons (Agamia agami) found within the reserve. Our research represents the first as­sessment on the local terrestrial mammal populations. Data was col­lected by using seven camera trap stations distributed within the boundaries of the reserve. From April 2015 to March 2016, and after a total of 1 643 camera trap nights, we were able to identify 11 terres­trial mammalian species distributed in six orders and nine families. The most abundant species was the common opossum (Didelphis marsu­pialis), followed by the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). A noticeably ab­sent species, otherwise common throughout the area, was the Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata). Our results are similar to those from other protected areas in the Northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.

scholarly journals Medium and large-sized mammals of the Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçú, Cachoeiras de Macacu, RJ

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Israel Dias de Carvalho ◽  
Rildo de Oliveira ◽  
Alexandra dos Santos Pires
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Large Mammals ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Mammal Conservation ◽  
Pecari Tajacu ◽  
Local Extinctions ◽  
Global Threat ◽  
Janeiro State

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.

scholarly journals Reproductive Behaviors of Wild Chinese Pangolin (Manis Pentadactyla): A Case Study Based on Long-Term Monitoring

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Ching-Min Sun ◽  
Kurtis Jai-Chyi Pei ◽  
Li-Yue Wu
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Separation ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Reproductive Behaviors ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Manis Pentadactyla ◽  
History Of ◽  
Almost All

Abstract Observations of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) in the wild are extremely rare and challenging because of their nocturnal and cryptic activity patterns and low population density. The present article reported the first field observation in eastern Taiwan, from October 4, 2012 to June 16, 2016, on the reproductive behavior of the Chinese pangolin based on the monitoring of a female (LF28) using radiotelemetry and camera traps. During this period, LF28 aged from 1 to 4.5-years old and gave two single-births, both took place in early December, at 3 and 4 years old, respectively. We recorded the entire 157 days of the first nursing period from parturition to maternal separation. For the second infant, the gestation period was estimated to be around 150 days based on the evidence that the pregnancy started in early Jul. 2015 and the offspring was born on Dec. 9, 2015. During the entire nursing period, LF28 frequently moved the offspring from one nursing burrow to another staying various durations ranging from 1 day to more than 35 days, and almost all (= 15/16) of these burrows were located in the core (MCP75) of LF28’s home range. Started from the month of parturition and lasting throughout the whole nursing period, different adult males constantly visiting the nursing burrows were recorded. Mating behavior was recorded once outside the burrow in March, which provided evidence of the occurrence of post-partum estrus in this species. Delay implantation was proposed based on the observation of a several months lag between copulation and the estimated pregnancy initiation date. The present study demonstrated the advantage of using remote technologies to learn the life history of resting fossorial species.

scholarly journals Transitions between foot postures are associated with elevated rates of body size evolution in mammals

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (7) ◽  
pp. 2618-2623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tai Kubo ◽  
Manabu Sakamoto ◽  
Andrew Meade ◽  
Chris Venditti
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectory ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Size Evolution ◽  
Foot Posture ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Common ◽  
Body Size Evolution

Terrestrial mammals have evolved various foot postures: flat-footed (plantigrady), tiptoed (digitigrady), and hooved (unguligrady) postures. Although the importance of foot posture on ecology and body size of mammalian species has been widely recognized, its evolutionary trajectory and influence on body size evolution across mammalian phylogeny remain untested. Taking a Bayesian phylogenetic approach combined with a comprehensive dataset of foot postures in 880 extant mammalian species, we investigated the evolutionary history of foot postures and rates of body size evolution, within the same posture and at transitions between postures. Our results show that the common ancestor of mammals was plantigrade, and transitions predominantly occurred only between plantigrady and digitigrady and between digitigrady and unguligrady. At the transitions between plantigrady and digitigrady and between digitigrady and unguligrady, rates of body size evolution are significantly elevated leading to the larger body masses of digitigrade species (∼1 kg) and unguligrade species (∼78 kg) compared with their respective ancestral postures [plantigrady (∼0.75 kg) and digitigrady]. Our results demonstrate the importance of foot postures on mammalian body size evolution and have implications for mammalian body size increase through time. In addition, we highlight a way forward for future studies that seek to integrate morphofunctional and macroevolutionary approaches.

scholarly journals Mammal use of wildlife crossing structures along a new motorway in an area recently recolonized by wolves

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Mysłajek ◽  
Emilia Olkowska ◽  
Marta Wronka-Tomulewicz ◽  
Sabina Nowak
Keyword(s):  
Wild Species ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Temporal Changes ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Crossing Structures ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Wildlife Crossing Structures

Abstract Wildlife crossing structures (WCSs) enhance connectivity between habitats of wild animals fragmented by fenced motorways, but factors affecting their use by targeted species remain understudied, particularly in areas recently recolonized by large carnivores. We investigated the use of WCS—6 overpasses (width 30-45m), 5 large underpasses (width 33–114 m) and 4 small underpasses (width 15–19 m)—located along the A4 motorway in the Lower Silesian Forest (western Poland), a large forest tract recently recolonised by wolves (Canis lupus). Identifying and counting tracks of mammals left on sand-beds as well as individuals recorded by camera traps were used to determine species diversity, number and activity patterns of mammals on WCS, and to reveal seasonal and temporal changes of WCS use over 3 years of study (2010–2013). WCSs were mostly used by wild species (51.5%), followed by humans (34.8%), livestock and pets (13.7%). Among wild species, ungulates were the most common (77.4% of crossings), while lagomorphs and carnivores were recorded less often (15% and 7.6% of crossings, respectively). The number of species and crossings of wild mammals, especially wild ungulates and wolves, was substantially higher on overpasses (mean effective number of species (Hill numbers): 0D = 7.8, 1D = 4.1 and 2D = 3.3) than on underpasses (0D = 6.3, 1D = 2.9 and 2D = 2.3) and was not affected by distance between WCS and human settlements or WCS width. There was a higher diversity of wild species and more crossings under large extended bridges than on smaller underpasses. The number of species and number of crossings of wild mammals, domestic animals and people increased from 2010 to 2013. There was a significant difference in activity patterns, with almost all wild species being nocturnal, in contrast to people and dogs. There was no relationship between crossing time and rates of wild carnivores and potential prey. We conclude that overpasses, even with steep entrance slopes (25–26.5%) or integrated with moderately used gravel roads, maintain movement of wild terrestrial mammals much better than underpasses, and the presence of wolves does not hamper the movement of other wild species. As there are significant temporal changes in use of WCS by mammals, we recommend monitoring WCS in all seasons for at least 3 years as a minimum standard for the post-investment assessment of WCS utilization by animals.

scholarly journals Arboreal camera trapping for the Critically Endangered greater bamboo lemur Prolemur simus

Oryx ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 593-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik R. Olson ◽  
Ryan A. Marsh ◽  
Brittany N. Bovard ◽  
H. L. Lucien Randrianarimanana ◽  
Maholy Ravaloharimanitra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Movement ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Steep Slopes ◽  
Prolemur Simus

AbstractCamera traps are standard tools for assessing populations of medium–large terrestrial mammals, particularly for rare, elusive or cryptic species, yet few researchers have attempted to employ camera traps to document rare primates in arboreal settings. We examined different arboreal camera-trap techniques to document the Critically Endangered greater bamboo lemur Prolemur simus in Madagascar. We documented P. simus at two sites, confirming presence at one site. Most species, including 86% of all lemur occurrences, were documented in low light conditions (c. < 105 lux). Our study suggests that camera traps can be effective in validating unconfirmed sightings of rare or secretive primate species. We recommend that future work with cameras in arboreal settings considers seasonal activity patterns, targets sites with high food densities, uses local knowledge, and utilizes available techniques (e.g. traditional trapping techniques) and landscape topography to concentrate animal movement (e.g. steep slopes or ridge lines).

scholarly journals Large- and medium-bodied terrestrial mammals of the Upper Berbice region of Guyana

Check List ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 1229-1237
Author(s):  
Meshach A. Pierre ◽  
Leroy Ignacio ◽  
Evi A. D. Paemelaere
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Large Mammals ◽  
Sensitive Species ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Mammal Community ◽  
Eira Barbara ◽  
Brocket Deer

Large mammals are key contributors to forest ecosystems globally, but Neotropical mammal populations are understudied. We employed remotely triggered camera traps and track surveys to assess the mammal community in the newly accessible upper Berbice region of Guyana. In a cumulative 2,821 trap nights between two camps and 14 km of track surveys we recorded 18 species of mammals. Camera trap records showed that Red-Rumped Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina (Linnaeus, 1758)) featured the highest relative abundance at both camps, while Tayra (Eira barbara (Linnaeus, 1758)), Amazonian Brown Brocket Deer (Mazama nemorivaga (F. Cuvier, 1817)), Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla (Linnaeus, 1758)) and Giant Armadillo (Priodontes maximus (Kerr, 1792)) the lowest. We also report na&iuml;ve occupancy estimates. Detections of threatened and disturbance sensitive species indicate that the study site has a high biodiversity value. We provide recommendations for further study in this recently disturbed ecosystem and other understudied regions of Guyana.

scholarly journals From natural forest to coffee agroforest: implications for communities of large mammals in the Ethiopian highlands

Oryx ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 715-722
Author(s):  
Jan E. J. Mertens ◽  
Willem-Jan Emsens ◽  
Merlijn Jocqué ◽  
Lore Geeraert ◽  
Matthias De Beenhouwer
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Natural Forest ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Large Mammals ◽  
Ethiopian Highlands ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Local Livelihoods ◽  
Mammal Communities

AbstractIn tropical regions the extent of agricultural land is increasing rapidly at the expense of natural forest, with associated losses of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Agroforestry has long been proposed as a more sustainable agricultural system, conserving biodiversity while providing significant local livelihoods. In this context, camera traps were deployed to compare communities of large mammals between natural forest (22,272 hours across 24 deployments) and extensively managed coffee forest (19,059 hours, 23 deployments) for the first time in the south-west Ethiopian highlands. Mammal communities in the two forest types were similar in species richness and Shannon diversity but differed in community composition. Significant indicator species of coffee forest were the crested porcupine Hystrix cristata and the Ethiopian hare Lepus fagani, whereas leopards Panthera pardus and civets Civettictis civetta had a preference for natural forest. The number of detections of mammals was higher in coffee forest, where activity patterns were predominantly crepuscular and nocturnal, which may be a direct adaptation to frequent human disturbance. In natural forest, mammal activity peaked during daytime. Despite the high mammal diversity in extensively managed coffee forest, it cannot fully replace natural forest as a habitat for large mammals. We suggest that a balanced landscape mosaic of coffee and natural forest may be a valuable combination for both conservation and coffee cultivation.

scholarly journals Diversidad y patrones de actividad de mamíferos medianos y grandes en la Reserva de la Biosfera La Encrucijada, Chiapas, México

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 634
Author(s):  
Julio C. Hernández Hernández ◽  
Cuauhtémoc Chávez ◽  
Rurik List
Keyword(s):  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Large Mammals ◽  
Dasypus Novemcinctus ◽  
Nasua Narica ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Dry Seasons

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. 

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal changes in biodiversity by ecosystem engineers: how beavers structure the richness of large mammals

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Y. Gauvin ◽  
Daniel Gallant ◽  
Eric Tremblay ◽  
Dominique Berteaux ◽  
Nicolas Lecomte
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Castor Canadensis ◽  
Ecosystem Engineering ◽  
Ecosystem Engineers ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Large Mammals ◽  
Mobile Species ◽  
History Of ◽  
Landscape Scales ◽  
Long Term Impact

AbstractHigh levels of biodiversity may be needed to maintain ecosystem functioning. By creating niches for other species, ecosystem engineers have the potential to promote biodiversity, but it is unclear how this translates across spatiotemporal scales. We evaluated the long-term impact of ecosystem engineering by beavers (Castor canadensis) on the diversity of mobile species. We tested the hypothesis that the spatial distribution of engineered habitats in different states resulting from ecosystem engineering by beavers increases the biodiversity of large mammals across spatial scales. We tested a second hypothesis that engineered habitat in different states resulting from ecosystem engineering by beavers drive the diversity of large mammals. We compared the richness and composition of boreal mammals using camera traps between habitats with and without history of occurrence by beavers within a protected area, where trapping, hunting, and forest exploitation are prohibited. We found that unique species were mostly found in specific engineered habitats, with ponds and wet meadows showing more species than dry meadows. In addition to the increased diversity of dispersal-limited species, our results show that beavers promote the diversity of mobile species at both local and landscape scales, signaling the importance of niche creation in structuring animal communities across scales.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document