From 1993 to 1997, we observed Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) feeding behavior in Central Pacific Costa Rica. Feeding data acquired in this study were not collected systematically, but opportunistically whenever macaws were observed feeding. To supplement feeding observations, we conducted interviews with local residents. Scarlet Macaws fed on seeds, fruits, leaves, flowers and/or bark of 43 plant species. Various plant parts eaten by macaws from several tree species contain secondary compounds toxic to humans, and additional species included in their diet are nonnative, introduced for agricultural purposes. Important macaw feeding tree species are Ceiba pentandra, Schizolobium parahybum, and Hura crepitans; these species are also crucial to this macaw population because of nest cavities they provide. The results of this study contribute to the conservation of Scarlet Macaws in Central Pacific Costa Rica through promoting protection of individual trees, and through local elementary school reforestation programs focusing on tree species that macaws use for feeding and/or nesting. Scarlet Macaw conservation is extremely important, as numerous population pressures have caused significant declines in macaw numbers in Costa Rica. Rev. Biol. Trop. 54 (3): 919-926. Epub 2006 Sept. 29.
SummaryThe Honduran Emerald Amazilia luciae is endemic to dry forests of Honduras and currently recognised as ‘Critically Endangered.’ Here we present the first modern assessment of its distribution, ecology, and conservation, based partly on our rediscovery of the species in western Honduras and on our observations in three Honduran departments. We found that dry forests inhabited by the emerald differed in structure and species composition between eastern and western Honduras, where we observed emeralds in open-canopied deciduous thorn forests and closed-canopied semi-deciduous woodlands, respectively. We interpret these differences in light of the geological and anthropogenic origins of dry forests in Honduras, and discuss the implications of such origins for the conservation of dry forests. Although our findings expand the known distribution and population size of the species, its status as ‘Critically Endangered’ is warranted due to its restricted distribution in dry forest fragments and increasing human pressures on this habitat.
RESUMENSe presentan 15 nuevas localidades de encuentros con perezosos de tres dedos Bradypus variegatus castaneiceps (Pilosa: Bradypodidae) en Honduras. Se confirma la existencia de esta especie en los departamentos de El Paraíso y Atlántida; con ello, se amplía la distribución por la cuenca del Río Segovia (frontera con Nicaragua) y por la costa Caribe de Honduras. Adicionalmente esta investigación propone una distribución espacial potencial de esta especie en el país basada en afinidad de caracteres fisiográficos con el programa MaxEnt. El estudio incluye también el registro de una cría en el mes de abril del 2013, se discuten los nombres locales de este animal en Honduras. Se evalúa las acciones de conservación en el país.Palabras clave: Ampliación, área de distribución, Centroamérica, three-toed sloth, probable ocurrencia, nuevos registros, MaxEnt.ABSTRACTWe present 15 new records for the brown three-toed sloth, Bradypus variegatus castaneiceps (Pilosa: Bradypodidae) in Honduras. These records confirm the existence of this specie in the departments of El Paraiso and Atlántida, and expand its geographical distribution from the watershed of the Rio Segovia (border with Nicaraguan) to along the Caribbean coast of Honduras. Additionally, we propose a potential spatial distribution of the specie based on the relationship between records and physiographic characteristics using the program MaxEnt. We document the presence of a juvenile in April 2013 and include a discussion of the common names of three-toed sloths in Honduras. We furthermore evaluate the position of this species on the List of Species of Special Concern and the qualification of its status as least concern (LC) in the IUCN Red ListKey words: Range extension, Central America, brown-throated sloth, probable occurrence, new records, MaxEnt
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