Avifauna Associada a Muçunungas: Composição E Uso Do Habitat

Abstract

Muçunungas are vegetation formations in sandy soils, similar to restingas in structure and composition, ranging from grassy woody (GL) to low-density trees or muçununga forests (FM). Although some birds are known for this phytophysiognomy, few data are available on the structure of their communities, and on the ecological resources' use. This research aims to present the first commented list on the birdlife of muçunungas, and to describe how they share the ecological resources in different formations. Five areas of muçunungas having different vegetation structures were sampled in southern Bahia, Brazil, between 2011 and 2019. We recorded 216 species; 32 endemics to the Atlantic Forest and 14 threatened with extinction. The most abundant feeding guilds were insectivores (77 species), omnivores (53), and frugivores (32). A total of 109 species were recorded in FM and 183 in GL. Strictly forest birds prevailed in FM (66 %), and forest, semi-forest, and open-area species were detected in similar amounts in GL. Generalist birds have prevailed in muçunungas, sharing many species with the surrounding environments, as in restingas. Due to the paucity of specific public policies, and similarities of muçunungas and restingas, we suggest that similar conservationist strategies could be applied to birds in these two environments of the Atlantic Forest.