Estudo de uma população relictual de veado-campeiro, Ozotoceros bezoarticus (Linnaeus) (Artiodactyla, Cervidae) no municipio da Lapa, Paraná, Brasil

Abstract

ABSTRACT. A relictual population study ofpampas deer, Ozotoceros bezoarticus (Linnaeus) (Artiodactyla, Cervidae) at Lapa, Paraná State, Brazil. The pampas deer, Ozotoceros bezoarticus (Linnaeus, 1758) was studied between August 1996 and September 1997 at Fazenda Santa Maria (25°34' and 25°36'S, 49°46'and 49°49 ' W) at Lapa, Paraná State. During that period we have collected information on feeding habits, group composition, time ofthe year for birth ofyoungsters and time for antlers change. The presence ofthe animal in the area was confirmed by the finding ofvestiges and visual occurrences. Animais were observed feeding on young leaves of soya been (Glicine max), oat (Avena saliva), ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare). Only one female was observed teeding on dry leaves. A stag was observed feeding on a barley ear. Group' s average size was 1.5 individual. Stags/female proportion was I: 0.96. Animais displaying velvet coated antlers were observed in June and July which is in accordance with literature about antlers change in a definite period restricted to winter. Only one youngster was observed in September 1996. It is believed that the species survive in the region despite human activities through adaptation of feeding habits with the introduction of agricultural species. This population could disappear in a few years because of the small number of individuais and their isolation. KEY WORDS. Pampas deer, Ozotoceros bezoarticus, conservation, threatened species, cervidae o veado-campeiro, Ozotoceros bezoarticus (Linnaeus, 1758), também conhecido em algumas regiões como veado-branco, veado-do-rabo-branco, veado-galheiro ou guazu-ti, é a única espécie do gênero Ozotoceros Ameghino, 1891. Sua pelagem varia do marrom avermelhado ao marrom claro (MACHADO 1994) com coloração branca nas regiões perioftálmica, interior das orelhas, inferior do corpo e da cauda, e ao redor do lábio superior. O macho adulto pode atingir cerca de 1,20 a 1,50 m de comprimento; 0,7 a 0,75 m de altura e cerca de 30 a 40 kg (MACHADO 1994). Distingue-se facilmente das outras espécies pelo característico chifre de três pontas, exclusivo dos machos. O chifre cai anualmente e cresce coberto por um tecido chamado de velame, que posteriormente é perdido, deixando o chifre nova-