Effects of fragmentation on Thamnophilus stictocephalus (aves, Thamnophilidae) in semideciduous forest of Alter-do-Chão, Pará

Abstract

Effects of fragmentation on biodiversity have received much attention in recent decades, as fragmentation can greatly reduce viable areas for living organisms. We studied its effect on Thamnophilus stictocephalus (Thamnophilidae), an understory bird, in semideciduous forest fragments in Alter-do-Chão, Santarém, Pará. We tested whether the density of Thamnophilus stictocephalus was a function of fragment size and shape, density of vegetation, or arthropod biomass. Density of Thamnophilus was positively related to fragment size, but not to the other factors analyzed. Arthropod biomass was positively related to fragment size. The density of T. stictocephalus in fragments was significantly higher than it was in continuous forest. Fragmentation processes had a pronounced effect on the relative density of T. stictocephalus.

Spatial and temporal changes in bird assemblages in forest fragments in an eastern Amazonian savannah

“…Two opportunistic, territorial and relatively aggressive bird species, the Antshrike Thamnophilus stictocephalus , which is wide spread in the area (Dantas et al. ), and the Buff‐breasted Wren, Cantorchilus leucotis , were recorded in 89% and 95% of the fragments, respectively, and in 100% and 83% of continuous‐forests sites. These birds had relatively high abundance in most sites and could potentially affect the occurrences of other bird species and consequently affect the number of bird species recorded per plot or composition because of the negative influence they exert in isolated forest fragments.…”