Use of shelters and marking sites by Lontra longicaudis (Olfers, 1818) in lotic and semilotic environments

Santos, Lívia B.; Reis, Nélio Roberto dos

doi:10.1590/s1676-06032012000100016

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(26 reference statements)

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“…This study site was chosen because regular presence of Neotropical otters was previously detected, based on fresh spraint (term used specifically for otter scats) daily observation and the identification of several holts. Otters use holts and shelters even near disturbed areas (Santos & Reis 2012). Nevertheless we selected sampling points outside the main human fishing areas and with adequate riparian cover.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-invasive hair sampling of Neotropical otters

et al. 2018

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Sampling wild animal populations using non-invasive techniques is advised when dealing with threatened species. Hair samples provide ecological information like species and individual identification. However, hair trapping is scarcely used in otters, due to their aquatic habits. Most studies are with captive individuals, so there is the need to test non-invasive hair trapping methods in otters in the wild. The aim of this study was to develop a simple and cost-effective method to collect hair from otter species in a non-invasive way. The study was carried out in the Paranapanema River, São Paulo State, Brazil, with the Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis Olfers, 1818), a protected species. Hair traps (wooden sticks and tree roots with adhesive tape or wax bands) were set during six nights on river banks, otter trails and scent-marking sites. Traps were baited with otter fresh spraints from other river locations. From the 23 traps, 10 (43.7%) were successful in collecting otter hairs, mostly guard-hair. The sticks were much more efficient than the roots at capturing otter hair (70.6.% vs. 0%) as well as adhesive tape when compared to wax (71.4% vs. 0%). Method simplicity and efficiency suggest that it can be a cost-effective way for collecting otter hairs without the need for capturing individuals. This method can be used for: assessment of local otter distribution; collecting otter hair samples for sex and individual identification (by molecular analysis), trophic ecology (by isotopic analyses), ecotoxicology (by contamination analysis) or behaviour ecology (by hormonal and stress levels analysis). More trapping campaigns should be implemented to further test the method's efficiency.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-invasive hair sampling of Neotropical otters

et al. 2018

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“…Shelters are important for otters to rest and breed ( Melquist & Hornocker, 1983 ; O'Sullivan, 1993 ; Pardini & Trajano, 1999 ; Santos & dos Reis, 2012 ). Our results indicated that otters tolerated human disturbance by adapting to artificial shelters, e.g., bridges, river bank cavities, and concrete pipes in Yushu.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Site-specific and seasonal variation in habitat use of Eurasian otters (<i>Lutra</i> <i>lutra</i>) in western China: implications for conservation

Wang

Zheng

Han³

et al. 2021

Zoological Research

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As a top predator, the Eurasian otter ( Lutra lutra ) is an indicator of healthy freshwater ecosystems and a flagship species for conservation. Once widespread in China, the species is now distributed mainly in the upper reaches of the great rivers of western China. However, a lack of knowledge on local otter populations continues to hinder their conservation in China. Here, we conducted a detailed study on habitat use of Eurasian otters in Yushu City and Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve in western China using transect surveys. At both study sites, otters preferred to defecate on large rocks close to or protruding from the river and about 50 cm above the waterline. In Yushu, no spraints were found along the 5 km river bank section in the downtown area, with otters preferring sprainting sites with natural banks, riparian zones, and lower human population density. However, this pattern was not obvious at Tangjiahe, where river transformation and human disturbance are minor. Otter river use intensity was negatively correlated with elevation and human population density in Yushu in both seasons. In Tangjiahe, otter river use intensity was positively correlated with prey mass and flow rate and negatively correlated with human population in spring, but positively correlated with human population and negatively correlated with flow rate in autumn. These results reflect the flexible habitat use strategies of otters at different sites, underlining the necessity to study otters living in different regions and habitat types. We provide suggestions for river modification and call for more site-specific studies to promote otter conservation in China.

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“…4). This is likely due to the presence of habitat characteristics such as a rocky bed and forest coverage provided by riparian vegetation, which positively influences the species presence providing protection and shelter above water level to ensure cubs survival avoiding flooding and predators (Santos & Reis, 2012;Rheingantz et al, 2017;Rheingantz et al, 2018), positive influencing the establishment of permanent otter populations. Downstream riverscape areas (LMR-SB and LMR-IB) had Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Anthropogenic activities such as the construction of hydroelectric dams can significantly affect Neotropical Otter populations also generating drastic reductions in prey availability and local diversity due to habitat modification and physicochemical changes of water (Santos & Reis, 2012;Palmeirim et al, 2014;Pedroso et al, 2014;Calaça, Faedo, & de Melo, 2015;Rheingantz et al, 2018;Costa-Braga, Rossi, & Srbek-Araujo, 2019). Therefore, long-term monitoring is required to design sound conservation measures that can reduce impacts derived of these megaprojects, protecting the biodiversity as well as ecosystem functions (see Bresney, 2016;Angarita et al, 2018;IHA, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and habitat use intensity of the Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis) in a Colombian hydroelectric dam

Franco-Pérez

Hincapié-Usma

Restrepo

et al. 2020

RBT

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Introduction: The Neotropical Otter, Lontra longicaudis, is a semi-aquatic mammal that ranges from Mexico to Argentina inhabiting near-pristine watercourses, but also human-dominated aquatic and riparian landscapes. Objective: We assessed the distribution and habitat use frequency of L. longicaudis in La Miel I hydroelectric power dam and its influence area in the Department of Caldas, Colombia. Methods: We carried out diurnal surveys across standardized transects between 2014 and 2018 looking for records (sightings, faeces, tracks, and dens) that indicate the presence of the species. Each yearly survey was done during 12 consecutive days over three seasonal sampling periods assessing the upstream, reservoir, and downstream waterscape areas. Results: We sampled a total of 875 km in a five-year period across the three main waterscape areas (upstream -103 km, reservoir -582 km, and downstream -190 km) registering a total of 1 496 records. Faeces were the most common record (~ 95 %) across the whole study area followed by sightings, dens (1.7 % each), and tracks (1.3 %). Spatial distribution analyses suggest that L. longicaudis prefers dwelling upstream watercourses (hot spots areas; Gi Z-score = 4.46, p < 0.001) and in a lesser extent, areas around the water reservoir (cold spot areas; Gi Z-score = -2.69, p = 0.007). Signs of otters were also recorded at downstream area, but these records were non-significant within the analysis (Gi Z-score = -0.11, p = 0.48), suggesting L. longicaudis uses this area opportunistically. Cluster and outlier analysis showed that even though L. longicaudis was commonly found upstream and in the reservoir area, only some specific sectors (Moro, La Miel and Tasajos rivers) had high (LMI Z-score = 5.63, p = 0.001) and low (LMI Z-score = 2.12, p = 0.001) clusters. Conclusions: The upstream waterscape area is key for the survival of L. longicaudis in this regulated system, likely providing enough shelter and food for the species to carry out living activities and have resident populations. In contrast, downstream areas require specific attention to understand in a better way the effects of caused by the dam on the species dynamics, also defining management strategies that avoid population fragmentation and movement reduction.

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Use of shelters and marking sites by Lontra longicaudis (Olfers, 1818) in lotic and semilotic environments

Cited by 7 publications

References 14 publications

Non-invasive hair sampling of Neotropical otters

Non-invasive hair sampling of Neotropical otters

Site-specific and seasonal variation in habitat use of Eurasian otters (<i>Lutra</i> <i>lutra</i>) in western China: implications for conservation

Distribution and habitat use intensity of the Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis) in a Colombian hydroelectric dam

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