Metabarcoding of environmental DNA (eDNA) is now widely used to build diversity profiles from DNA that has been shed by species into the environment. There is substantial interest in the expansion of eDNA approaches for improved detection of terrestrial vertebrates using invertebrate‐derived DNA (iDNA) in which hematophagous, sarcophagous, and coprophagous invertebrates sample vertebrate blood, carrion, or faeces. Here, we used metabarcoding and multiple iDNA samplers (carrion flies, sandflies, and mosquitos) collected from 39 forested sites in the southern Amazon to profile gamma and alpha diversity. Our main objectives were to (1) compare diversity found with iDNA to camera trapping, which is the conventional method of vertebrate diversity surveillance; and (2) compare each of the iDNA samplers to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and potential biases associated with each sampler. In total, we collected and analysed 1759 carrion flies, 48,686 sandflies, and 4776 mosquitos. Carrion flies revealed the greatest total vertebrate species richness at the landscape level, despite the least amount of sampling effort and the fewest number of individuals captured for metabarcoding, followed by sandflies. Camera traps had the highest median species richness at the site‐level but showed strong bias towards carnivore and ungulate species and missed much of the diversity described by iDNA methods. Mosquitos showed a strong feeding preference for humans as did sandflies for armadillos, thus presenting potential utility to further study related to host‐vector interactions.

The effectiveness of ecological researches on small mammals strongly depends on trapping techniques to survey communities and populations accurately. The main goal of this study was to assess the efficiency of three types of traps (Sherman, Tomahawk and Pitfall) to capture non-volant small mammals. We installed traps in 22 forest fragments in the southern Brazilian Amazonia. We captured 873 individuals belonging to 21 species; most of the individuals (N = 369) and species (N = 19) were trapped using Pitfalls, followed by Shermans (N = 271 individuals; N = 15 species) and Tomahawks (N = 233 individuals; N = 15 species). Pitfalls trapped a richer community subset of small mammals than the two other types of traps, and a more abundant community subset than Tomahawks. Proechimys sp. was the most abundant species trapped (N = 125) and Tomahawk was the most efficient type of trap to capture this species (N = 97 individuals). Neacomys spinosus and Marmosops bishopi were more trapped in Pitfalls (N = 92 and 100 individuals, respectively) than Shermans and Tomahawks. Monodelphis glirina was more trapped in Shermans and Pitfalls than Tomahawks. Species composition trapped using the three types of traps were distinct. Pitfalls captured a more distinct subset of the small mammal community than the two other live traps. We recommend the association of the three types of traps to reach a more comprehensive sampling of the community of small mammals. Thus, as stated by previous studies, we also recommend the complementary use of Shermans, Tomahawks and Pitfalls to account for a thorough sampling of the whole small mammal community in researches conducted in the tropical forests of Amazonia. KEYWORDS: Fragments, sampling techniques, abundance, community ecology Avaliação da eficiência de armadilhas para pequenos mamíferos no sul da Amazônia RESUMO A eficácia das pesquisas ecológicas de comunidade de pequenos mamíferos depende fortemente do uso de técnicas adequadas nas capturas durante as amostragens. O principal objetivos deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiências de três tipos de armadilhas (Sherman, Tomahawk e Pitfall) para capturas de pequenos mamíferos não-voadores. Nós instalamos armadilhas em 22 fragmentos de floresta no sul da Amazonia Brasileira. Nós capturamos 873 indivíduos de 21 espécies, a maior parte dos indivíduos (N=369) e espécies (N=19) foram capturados usando pitfalls, seguidos de Shermans (N=271 indivíduos, N=15 espécies) e Tomahawks (N=233 indivíduos, N= 15 espécies). Pitfalls capturou a maior riqueza da comunidade de pequenos mamíferos quando comparada aos outros dois tipos de armadilhas, e uma maior abundancia que Tomahawk. Proechimys sp. foi a espécies mais abundante capturada (N=125) e Tomahawk foi o tipo de armadilha mais eficiente para a captura desta espécie (N=97 indivíduos).Neacomys spinosus e Marmosops bishopi foram mais capturados em Pitfalls (N = 92 e 100 indivíduos, respectivamente) que Shermans e Tomahawks. Monodelphis glirina foram mais capturados em Shermans e Pitfalls que Tomahawks. A c...

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal‐central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation‐related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data.

DE LÁZARI, P.R., SANTOS-FILHO, M., CANALE, G.R. & GAIPEL, M.E. Flood-mediated use of habitat by large and midsized mammals in the Brazilian Pantanal. Biota Neotrop. 13(2): http://www.biotaneotropica. org.br/v13n2/en/abstract?article+bn02713022013 Abstract:The Brazilian Pantanal comprises a mosaic of forest and field environments harbouring a rich community of large and midsized mammals that are adapted to the annual hydrological cycle. Here we evaluated richness and composition of large and midsized mammals inhabiting forested and open habitats affected by yearly floods in the Pantanal in Cáceres from October 2009 to September 2010. We compared these communities in marshes, dry forests and riparian forests based on 640 camera-traps.nights, sights, tracks, faecal samples and interviews. We also compared results in a private land (Descalvados Farm) and in a protected area (Taiamã Ecological Station). In total, we sampled 26 large and midsized mammals, including five threatened and two near threatened species. Jaguars, collared peccaries and red-brocket deers were the only mammals recorded at all habitat types, while eleven species were recorded exclusively in one of the habitats. We identified a heterogeneous use of the habitat by the animal community surveyed in all three habitats during the wet and dry season. Furthermore, precipitation and river level affected the use of dry forests and marshes isolated from dry forests. Finally, 62% of large/midsized mammal species present in the surveyed region recorded outside the reserve; therefore, we recommend conservation actions to protect those species and also to preserve unprotected dry forests. Resumo: O Pantanal brasileiro é formado por um mosaico de ambientes florestados e campestres, abrigando uma rica comunidade de mamíferos de médio e grande porte adaptados ao ciclo hidrológico anual. Nós avaliamos a riqueza e composição de mamíferos de médio e grande porte em habitats florestados e campestres afetados pelas inundações anuais no Pantanal de Cáceres ente outubro/2009 e setembro/2010. Comparamos as comunidades em Campos Inundáveis, Matas Secas e Matas Ripárias com base em 640 armadilhas-fotográficas.noite, avistamentos, pegadas, amostras fecais e entrevistas. Nós também comparamos os resultados em uma área privada (Fazenda Descalvados) e em uma área protegida (Estação Ecológica Taiamã). No total, foram registradas 26 espécies de mamíferos de médio e grande porte, incluindo cinco espécies ameaçadas de extinção e duas quase ameaçadas. Onças-pintadas, catetos e veados-mateiro foram os únicos mamíferos registrados em todos os habitats, enquanto que 11 espécies foram registradas em apenas um tipo de hábitat. Identificamos diferença quanto ao uso dos habitats entre os três tipos de habitats durante a estação seca e chuvosa. Além disso, a precipitação e o nível do rio afetaram o uso da Mata Seca e Campos Inundáveis isolados das Matas Secas. Por fim, 62% das espécies foram registradas fora da reserva, por isso, recomendamos ações de conservação para proteger as espécies ...

ABSTRACT. Ichthyofauna diversity of headwaters streams in landscapes anthropogenic in the Upper Paraguay basin. The advance of the agricultural frontier is one of the biggest threats to the communities' structure of the fi sh assemblages in headwaters streams. The infl uence of land use and occupation on the fi sh assemblages structure in headwater streams was evaluated in three stream reaches in the Upper Paraguay River Basin, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Samples were collected from July to December 2013 using dragging net and sieve in Ararão, Queima Pé e Russo streams, municipality of Tangará da Serra. Totals of 35 species encompassing 4,192 individuals were collected, and the dominant species within were Moenkhausia lopesi (Britski & de Silimon, 2001) e Knodus moenkhausii (Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903), accounting for 68.5% of the individuals. There were no signifi cant diff erences in richness or abundance among the three streams, but Shannon diversity index was higher in the Russo stream (H´ = 2,33). The high percentage of native vegetation converted into agriculture crops (49.20%) and cattle raising (30.69%), disclosed a strong negative relationship between agriculture and richness, showing that as the agriculture fi elds become smaller the species richness becomes larger.