Occurrence, local extinction and conservation of Primates in the corridor of the Upper Paraná River, with notes on other mammals

Abstract

The region of Porto Rico, on the Upper Paraná River, is a contact zone between the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado, with elements of the Pantanal wetlands. During surveys from September 2003 to September to 2005, we recorded the presence of non-volant mammals on 14 islands and the adjacent riverbanks. Surveys were by foot and by boat, and we also interviewed local people about the mammals of the region. Sightings of three primate species - Cebus nigritus (Goldfuss, 1809) (left margin of the river), C. libidinosus Spix, 1823 (right margin) and Alouatta caraya (Humboldt, 1812) (both margins and 12 islands) - were plotted on a satellite image. Alouatta clamitans Cabrera, 1940 was not recorded. However, interviews indicated that this species has occurred in this region in the past. The survey of mammals revealed the occurrence of 32 native species, a native genus with one or more unidentified species, and two introduced species [Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778 and Sus scrofa (Linnaeus, 1758)]. The study discusses the permeability of the Paraná River to dispersal, as well as its potential as a geographical barrier to some species. Hypothesis on the local extinction of A. clamitans is also addressed. This study provides information that can be useful for promoting the conservation of this region.

Group size and composition of black-and-gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) on the Upper Paraná River, Southern Brazil

“…Flooded forests along the river are extremely productive, and howlers are seldom food limited, and so can live at greater densities and in larger groups (Rumiz 1990;Zunino et al 2001;Ostro et al 2001;Rudran and Fernandez-Duque 2003). Additionally, although howlers can swim (Aguiar et al 2007b), dispersal to and from islands may be limited and may result in larger island group size.…”

“…Regardless of the causes, and the possible interchange between island and mainland groups on the Upper Paraná River (Aguiar et al 2007b), differences in habitat may still generate local differences in group dynamics. High densities, large and multi-male groups may be a consequence of demographic cycles.…”

“…Today, these riparian forests remain in relatively small fragments mixed with agricultural areas and secondary forests. In this mosaic, A. caraya lives on islands and in riparian forests of the river (Aguiar et al 2007b), with relatively high densities in some areas (to 2.56 individuals ha -1 , L.M.A., unpublished data).…”

Mamíferos de médio e grande porte de uma área agricultável em Terezópolis (GO) com notas sobre métodos de amostragem

“…Frequência total e por transecto das espécies registradas através do método de parcelas de areia. (Aguiar et al, 2007;Chiarello e Melo, 2001;Hilário et al, 2012;Martins, 2005 (Chiarello, 1999) e o grau de isolamento (Calaça, 2009) influenciam a distribuição e a riqueza das espécies de mamíferos em fragmentos. Calaça et al (2010) sugerem que uma estratégia para a manutenção local da mastofauna seria a conservação de pequenos fragmentos florestais, uma vez que estes servem de abrigos para muitas espécies, inclusive de grande porte, como a onça pintada, além de manterem a conectividade entre os fragmentos, proporcionando assim corredores de deslocamento.…”

Mammalia, Lagomorpha, Leporidae, Lepus europaeus, Pallas, 1778: distribution extension, first confirmed record for Paraguay

“…Most mention L. europaeus as a food item in carnivore diet studies (Jaksic et al1983;Branch et al 1996;Pia et al 2003;Diuk-Waser and Cassini 1998;Zapata et al 1998;Rau and Jiménez 2002;Donadio et al 2004;García and Kittlein 2004;and Zapata et al 2005), avian scavenger diet studies , in occasional records from faunal surveys (Aguilar et al, 2007;Cossio 2004;Dotta and Verdade 2007;and Aguiar et al 2007) and/or in describing the ecology of Lepus itself (Auricchio et al 1999;Campos et al 2001;Cossíos, 2004;and Kufner et al 2008).…”