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The concept of ecosystem engineering has catalysed novel approaches and models for non-trophic species interactions and ecosystem functions. Ecosystem engineers physically modify abiotic and biotic environments, thereby creating new habitats that can be colonized by a new suite of species. In the Peruvian Amazonas, we tested whether peccaries (Tayassuidae) function as ecosystem engineers by creating and maintaining wallows. Such wallows could be critical aquatic habitats and breeding sites for anuran species during dry seasons. We compared hydroperiods of 21 peccary wallows and 13 naturally formed ponds across three dry seasons and found that wallows had a consistently higher mean water surface area than ponds. We also examined the pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature, and found no significant differences in these parameters between water bodies. Wallows had a significantly higher density of tadpoles, metamorphs and adult anurans, as well as higher β-diversity and species richness than ponds. This study not only provides the first systematic evidence of the ecosystem engineering processes of peccaries, but also reveals the positive consequences of such for anuran species.

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The collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) is distributed from southwestern USA to northern Argentina; however, in some Argentinean localities it went extinct over 50 years ago. As part of a rewilding project, two peccary groups (one captive-bred family group and one mixed group formed by not genetically related individuals) were reintroduced to the Ibera National Park. Following the release, we monitored the movements of 16 individuals to obtain GPS locations every 100 min, for 6 months. We evaluated the individual's spatial patterns by assessing site fidelity, home range changes, and habitat selection. Most members of the family group survived and established a home range whereas almost all members of the mixed group dispersed and did not survive. Using the Autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimator, the groups' home range was 8.9 ± 1.7 km 2 for the entire study period. In addition, individuals showed high fidelity to release site and a stable home range a few months after release. At larger scales (second order of selection), peccaries selected forested habitat and proximity to release site while at a smaller scale (third order of selection), they avoided grasslands. We highlight the importance of familiarity of individuals prior to release and provide recommendations for future reintroductions. Three years later, by September 2019, nine groups were established in the Ibera National Park and the abundance was over 45 individuals. This is the first postrelease assessment of the movement patterns of collared peccaries in South America.