Distribuição de mamíferos silvestres de médio e grande porte em remanescente de Mata Atlântica no sul do Brasil e associação de métodos de amostragem.

Abstract

Of the 5,490 mammal species described worldwide, 701 occur in Brazil, considered the second largest country in mammals. Once the Atlantic Forest Biome is the most endangered, with only 7.4 % of its original cover, remnant forests play an important role in maintaining mammals. In this context, we highlight information about which species occur in an area and how they are distributed, assisting in the conservation of local biodiversity. Being animals threatened and with significant ecological importance, efficient sampling methods are needed. With the objective of analyzing the composition and distribution of medium and large size mammals in Atlantic Forest remnant, noting possible temporal variations in the use of different environments in relation to body size and trophic category of species, a study was conducted for 12 months in Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Fazenda Santa Francisca, municipality of Querência do Norte, Paraná State. We also assessed the need for association of different methodologies for sampling more accurate. The area was divided into five sampling points with different microclimatic conditions (Banhado, Borda, Estrada, Rio/Represa e Interior/Seco). For sampling we used the visual census in line transect, footprints in sand plots, camera traps and direct search for traces. In 48 field sampling, 24 species were sampled, totaling 895 records. The results showed that fragmented environments favor the permanence of species with higher adaptive potential as Dazyprocta azarae (agouti), Cerdocyon thous (crab-eating fox) and Dasypus novemcinctus and Euphractus sexcinctus (armadillos), who used the area more general way. Moreover, Hydrochoerus Hydrochaeris (capybara), Leopardus pardalis (ocelot) and Puma concolor (puma) showed preference for certain environments, which reinforce the importance of preserving different sites within the study area. Seasonality, food habits and body size were not significant for the choice of environment for mammals, especially for opportunistic / generalist species. The combination of different methods was efficient, differing in their applications and results, with direct search for traces and sand plots that more contributed to the data collection. However, the choice is determined by the objective of the work, the biology of the target species and the effectiveness of the method. Despite the high degree of forest fragmentation in the region, remnant forests play an important role in the conservation of mammals and, consequently, ecological processes, since the RPPN Fazenda Santa Francisca can be used by animals to obtain resources or facilitating the movement between larger fragments.