scholarly journals Prey abundance drives habitat occupancy by jaguars in Amazonian floodplain river islands

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael M. Rabelo ◽  
Susan Aragón ◽  
Júlio César Bicca-Marques
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Howler Monkey ◽  
Floodplain Forests ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Habitat Occupancy ◽  
River Islands ◽  
Continuous Forest ◽  
Sign Surveys

AbstractThe jaguar (Panthera onca) is widely distributed across a broad range of habitat types, where its feeding habits and habitat use patterns vary significantly. The jaguar and its main arboreal prey – the brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus) and the red howler monkey (Alouatta juara) – are widespread in the Amazonian floodplain forests of the Mamirauá Reserve. These forest-dwelling species are the most common mammal species both in the continuous forest and the forest patches surrounded by a river matrix – the fluvial islands – of the Solimões and Japurá rivers. We used sign surveys along line-transects to assess the pattern of habitat occupancy by jaguars in Amazonian floodplain forests. Specifically, we (i) tested whether habitat occupancy by jaguars differs between river islands and continuous forest; and (ii) evaluated whether and how the local abundance of sloths and howler monkeys influence the probability of site occupancy by jaguars. We built an occupancy model and used Bayesian inference to reach these goals. The proportion of sites estimated to be used by jaguars was ψ = 0.75 (HPD95: 0.36–1.00), and it did not differ between islands and continuous forest. The abundance of both prey species had a direct influence on jaguar’s habitat use, whereas the aquatic matrix seems to have a negligible effect on the use of islands by jaguars. We conclude that the isolation of the river islands within the aquatic matrix does not hamper jaguars to use them. We also conclude that prey search modulates jaguars’ habitat occupancy patterns with both prey species having a similar effect. This finding is compatible with the previously reported importance of sloths to the diet of jaguars in the study region despite its lower abundance than howlers. Finally, we suggest that sign surveys are an alternative method to assess the pattern of jaguar habitat occupancy in floodplain forests.

scholarly journals Forest cover mediates large and medium-sized mammal occurrence in a critical link of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0249072
Author(s):  
Roberto Salom-Pérez ◽  
Daniel Corrales-Gutiérrez ◽  
Daniela Araya-Gamboa ◽  
Deiver Espinoza-Muñoz ◽  
Bryan Finegan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Biological Corridor ◽  
Mesoamerican Biological Corridor ◽  
Image Position ◽  
Critical Link

Connectivity of natural areas through biological corridors is essential for ecosystem resilience and biodiversity conservation. However, robust assessments of biodiversity in corridor areas are often hindered by logistical constraints and the statistical challenges of modeling data from multiple species. Herein, we used a hierarchical community occupancy model in a Bayesian framework to evaluate the status of medium and large-sized mammals in a critical link of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC) in Costa Rica. We used camera traps deployed from 2013–2017 to detect 18 medium (1–15 kg) and 6 large (>15 kg) mammal species in a portion of two Jaguar Conservation Units (JCUs) and the Corridor linking them. Camera traps operated for 16,904 trap nights across 209 stations, covering an area of 880 km2. Forest cover was the most important driver of medium and large-sized mammal habitat use, with forest specialists such as jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor) strongly associated with high forest cover, while habitat generalists such as coyotes (Canis latrans) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) were associated with low forest cover. Medium and large-sized mammal species richness was lower in the Corridor area (x¯ = 9.78±1.84) than in the portions evaluated of the two JCUs (x¯ = 11.50±1.52). Puma and jaguar habitat use probabilities were strongly correlated with large prey species richness (jaguar, r = 0.59, p<0.001; puma, r = 0.72, p<0.001), and correlated to a lesser extent with medium prey species richness (jaguar, r = 0.36, p = 0.003; puma, r = 0.23, p = 0.064). Low estimated jaguar habitat use probability in one JCU (Central Volcanic Cordillera: x¯ = 0.15±0.11) suggests that this is not the jaguar stronghold previously assumed. In addition, the western half of the Corridor has low richness of large mammals, making it necessary to take urgent actions to secure habitat connectivity for mammal populations.

Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Conserving the Highly Hunted Mammal Species as Bushmeat in Southern Benin

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-24
Author(s):  
Chabi A.M.S. Djagoun ◽  
Etotépé A. Sogbohossou ◽  
Barthélémy Kassa ◽  
Christian B. Ahouandjinou ◽  
Hugues A. Akpona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Occupancy Model ◽  
Habitat Occupancy ◽  
Anthropogenic Habitat ◽  
Lama Forest

Background: The habitat degradation together with fragmentation and illegal hunting represent a major threat for biodiversity conservation in Lama protected areas. Method: We used a combination of questionnaire survey with local communities for ranking the hunted mammal species as bushmeat and track surveys in gridded-cell system of 500x500 m2 (n=268) to assess at what extend the management design, the anthropogenic factors and habitat type affect the occupancy model of those mammal species. Results: Twenty mammal species have been predominantly reported by the local inhabitants to consume bushmeat species and 5 of them have been identified as the most preferable as hunted game mammals. The selection of the preferred habitat among the swampy forest, the dense forest, the tree plantations and cropland for the prioritized game species varies between species but looks similar when grouping in different orders. Some bushmeat species were found to select the more secure habitat (natural forest); suggesting the zoning system in the Lama forest can passively protect those species. However, some species such as T. swinderianus although highly hunted showed preference to anthropogenic habitat, avoiding the well secured core zone in Lama Forest. Conclusion: Our findings highlighted the importance of the zoning system with different management objectives in the habitat occupancy model of the highly hunted wildlife species.

The Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna of the Dartmouth Dam Inundation Area

1976 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 189 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Thomas ◽  
AM Gilmore
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammal ◽  
River Valley ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Vertebrate Fauna ◽  
Habitat Occupancy ◽  
Anuran Species ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrate ◽  
Inundation Area ◽  
Small Mammal Species

A survey of the terrestrial vertebrate fauna of the Dartmouth Dam inundation area has shown the presence of 24 mammal, 100 bird, 24 reptile, and 10 anuran species. Some aspects of their ecology, including habitat occupancy, are discussed, and the trapping success for eight small mammal species in different habitats is compared. A zoogeographic analysis of the fauna demonstrates its heterogeneous and transitional nature, and it is probable that the unique community will be totally lost from the Mitta Mitta River Valley.

The diet of the greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga) in Belarusian Polesie

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valery Dombrovski
Keyword(s):  
Prey Species ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Weight Category ◽  
Arvicola Amphibius ◽  
Vipera Berus ◽  
Leading Position ◽  
Emberiza Schoeniclus

The diet of the greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga) in Belarusian PolesieDuring 1999-2009 the food remains from the nests of 43 breeding pairs of the greater spotted eagle in Belarusian Polesie (southern Belarus) were collected. 797 prey items were determined, including mammals (40%, 15 species andSylvaemussp., 4 orders), birds (36%, 35 species andPhylloscopussp., Corvidae sp., 11 orders), evertebrates (16%, Coleoptera, Odonatoptera, Gastropoda), reptiles (6%, 4 species andLacertasp.), amphibians (1%,Ranasp.) and fish (1%, 3 species). Small rodents from the genusMicrotus(M. arvalisandM. oeconomus) as well asArvicola amphibiuswere the most numerous mammal species, followed byErinaceus roumanicusandTalpa europaea.Rallidae (mostlyRallus aquaticus, Porzana porzanaandCrex crex), waders (mainlyGalinago gallinago), dabbling ducks (mainlyAnas platyrhynchosandAnas querquedula), Galliformes (Lyrurustetrix), Ciconiiformes (Ardea cinereaandBotaurus stellaris) were the most numerous bird prey species.Emberiza schoenicluswas predominated prey species among Passerines. Reptiles were frequently represented by snakes (mainlyNatrix natrix, but alsoVipera berusandCoronella austriaca). Biomass predominance in diet of the greater spotted eagles is as follows: birds (67.9%), mammals (25.3%), reptiles (3.4%), fish (3.0%) and amphibians (0.3%). Prey species with a body mass of 51-200 g (41.9%) and 11-50 g (38.3%) were predominant in the food spectrum of the greater spotted eagles. In the weight category of 1-50g, mammals were dominant, but from the categories of 51-200 g and heavier, birds occupied the leading position. The prey which made the largest contribution in total biomass of the greater spotted eagle were in the prey weight category from 601 to 1200 g (34%), then from 51 to 200 g (24%), from 11 to 50 g (16.6%) and more than 1200 g (16%). The species of the genusMicrotuswere equally represented in prey set of the greater spotted eagle in habitats with different degrees of anthropogenic transformation (24% in each habitat type). The share ofArvicola amphibiusin the diet of the greater spotted eagle decreased from 12% in natural habitats to 4% in transformed habitats; the share of birds decreased from 41% to 26% correspondingly. The share of Insectivora and Evertebrata, on the contrary, increased to 3% and 11% in natural habitats and to 6% and 27% in transformed habitats correspondingly.

Secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles in a Colombian rain forest: effects of dung type and defecation pattern on seed fate

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 355-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Santos-Heredia ◽  
Ellen Andresen ◽  
Diego A. Zárate
Keyword(s):  
Dung Beetles ◽  
Howler Monkey ◽  
Separate Experiment ◽  
Alouatta Seniculus ◽  
Seed Fate ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Horizontal Movement ◽  
Burial Rates ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Secondary Seed Dispersal

Abstract:In rain forests the fate of seeds defecated by mammals is often affected by dung beetles, but these effects can vary with mammal species. In a Colombian forest, differences in Scarabaeinae assemblages attracted to spider monkey (Ateles hybridus) and howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus) defecations were assessed. In total, 791 beetles of 35 species were captured. Mean number of individuals was similar for both dung types; mean number of species was higher forAlouattatraps. The effects of dung type (Alouattavs.Ateles) and defecation pattern (clumped vs. scattered) on the fate of 220Rollinia edulis(Annonaceae) seeds were determined. Burial by beetles occurred for 61% of the seeds (mean depth 2.6 cm). Seeds inAlouattadung and in clumped defecations had higher burial rates. Horizontal movement (mean 11 cm) occurred for 80% of the seeds; no significant effects of experimental factors were detected. Survival was higher for buried vs. surface seeds. In a separate experiment, no differences were detected between dung types in the proportion of seeds buried by beetles. Changes in dung texture might have been responsible for the contrasting results. When assessing the effectiveness of an endozoochorous plant–mammal interaction, secondary dispersal by dung beetles should be addressed too.

scholarly journals Critically Endangered Arabian leopards Panthera pardus nimr persist in the Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve, Oman

Oryx ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Andrew Spalton ◽  
Hadi Musalam al Hikmani ◽  
David Willis ◽  
Ali Salim Bait Said
Keyword(s):  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Red List ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Panthera Pardus ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Trail Use ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Two Peaks ◽  
Temporal Overlap

Between 1997 and 2000 a survey of the Arabian subspecies of leopard Panthera pardus nimr was conducted in the little known Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve in southern Oman. Using camera-traps 251 photographic records were obtained of 17 individual leopards; nine females, five males, two adults of unknown sex and one cub. Leopards were usually solitary and trail use and movements suggested large ranges characterized by spatial sharing but little temporal overlap. More active by day than night in undisturbed areas, overall the leopards exhibited two peaks in activity, morning and evening. The survey also provided records of leopard prey species and first records of nine Red List mammal species previously unrecorded in Jabal Samhan. Although people are mostly absent from the Reserve there is some conflict between leopards and shepherds who live outside the Reserve. The numbers and activities of frankincense harvesters in the Reserve need to be managed to safeguard the leopard and its habitat. The main challenge for the future is to find ways whereby local communities can benefit from the presence of the Reserve and from the leopards that the Reserve seeks to safeguard.

scholarly journals Multiple methods increase detection of large and medium-sized mammals: working with volunteers in south-eastern Oman

Oryx ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Mazzolli ◽  
Taiana Haag ◽  
Beatriz G. Lippert ◽  
Eduardo Eizirik ◽  
Matthias L.A. Hammer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Camera Traps ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Grid Cells ◽  
Multiple Methods ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Molecular Scatology ◽  
Sign Surveys ◽  
Procavia Capensis ◽  
Hyaena Hyaena

AbstractWe compared the effectiveness of various methods for surveying medium and large wild mammals in southern Oman. Working with volunteers recruited by Biosphere Expeditions, wildlife professionals and local rangers, we used direct observation, camera traps, sign surveys (tracks and/or dung) and molecular scatology to study 66 sampling units of 2 × 2 km (grid cells) in an area of 32 × 36 km during a 4-week period in February–March 2011. Sixteen mammal species were recorded, and the largest numbers of species were recorded by sign surveys and camera traps (both n = 9); sign surveys, direct sightings and DNA scatology recorded species across the largest number of grid cells. For species with a sample size large enough for comparison (i.e. detected in ≥ 8 grid cells), DNA scatology proved most effective for detecting caracal Caracal caracal, signs for hyaena Hyaena hyaena, ibex Capra nubiana, porcupine Hystrix indica and hyrax Procavia capensis, and signs and direct sightings for mountain gazelle Gazella gazella. Clustering, in which records from multiple methods are either adjacent or overlapping, was highest (≥ 76%) for the wolf Canis lupus, porcupine, ibex and gazelle. Our results indicate the best methods to detect and record the distributions of individual species in the study area, and demonstrate the advantage of using multiple methods to reduce the risk of false absences or partial detections. Our findings also highlight the potential of clustering as a means of cross-checking results of observations that are skill-dependent, which is particularly useful when employing a large workforce.

scholarly journals Diet and foraging behavior of Ageneiosus inermis (Teleostei, Auchenipteridae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-218
Author(s):  
Tiago Magalhães da Silva Freitas ◽  
William Oliveira dos Santos ◽  
Bruno da Silveira Prudente ◽  
Luciano Fogaça de Assis Montag
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Foraging Behavior ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Pelagic Species ◽  
Bottom Substrate ◽  
Xingu River ◽  
The Family ◽  
In The Wild

Ageneiosus inermis is the largest species of the family Auchenipteridae (Siluriformes) and has a primarily piscivorous diet, although no comprehensive data are available on the habitat use of this species. Given this, the present study describes the diet of A. inermis, and provides inferences on its habitat use, based on the known behavior of its prey species. We analyzed the stomach contents of 14 specimens collected in the middle of Xingu River in the Brazilian state of Pará, which we complemented with data on 47 other specimens obtained from two published studies. Most of the ingested items were fish associated with the bottom substrate and riverbanks. Although A. inermis is considered a pelagic species, we conclude it forages by exploring the river’s bottom and margins. Furthermore, as A. inermis is presumed to be diurnal, we assume that it does not pursue its prey actively, given that most of the prey species are nocturnal, but rather searches actively during the daytime for prey hidden in the bottom substrate. This hypothesis on the feeding strategy of A. inermis can only be confirmed by underwater observations, either in the wild or under captive conditions.

scholarly journals Sex-Biased Habitat Use by Phyllostomid Bats on Riparian Corridors in a Human Dominated Tropical Landscape

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika de la Peña-Cuéllar ◽  
Julieta Benítez-Malvido
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Habitat Modification ◽  
Southern Mexico ◽  
Riparian Corridors ◽  
Landscape Modification ◽  
Continuous Forest ◽  
Large Trees

Some animal species exhibit sex-specific patterns as an adaptation to their habitats, however, adaptability to a human-dominated landscape is commonly explored without considering intraspecific sexual differences. Differences between males and females lead to a sexual segregation in habitat use. In southern Mexico, we explored sex-specific responses to landscape modification of six common species of phyllostomid bats: Artibeus jamaicensis, A. lituratus, Sturnira lilium, Carollia perspicillata, Glossophaga soricina, and Platyrrhinus helleri using riparian corridors within continuous forest and cattle pastures. Furthermore, we explored sex related responses to vegetation attributes (i.e., tree height and basal area) and seasonality (i.e., wet and dry seasons). Overall, capture rates were significantly skewed toward females and riparian corridors in pastures. Females of G. soricina exhibited a strong positive relationship with greater tree height and basal area. Seasonality was important for A. lituratus and S. lilium females, only. The results indicate a sexual driven response of bats to habitat modification. The high energetic demands of females associated to reproduction could lead to foraging into riparian corridors in pastures. The presence of large trees along riparian corridors in pastures may help maintaining a diverse and dynamic bat community in modified tropical landscapes.

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