Non-volant mammalian diversity in fragments in extreme eastern Amazonia |
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Authors: | Anita I Stone Eldianne M Lima G F S Aguiar Carolina C Camargo Tamara A Flores Douglas A Kelt Suely A Marques-Aguiar João A L Queiroz Rossano M Ramos José S Silva Júnior |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, Grand Valley State University, One Campus Drive, Allendale, MI 49401, USA;(2) Setor de Mastozoologia, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil;(3) Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA |
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Abstract: | Current deforestation practices are likely to result in fragmentation of much of Amazonia. Extreme eastern Amazonia (here
referring to the region east of the Tocantins River) is the most populated area of the Brazilian Amazon and, unfortunately,
represents the likely future scenario for remaining Amazonia. Although data are available on mammals in central Amazon fragments
(the BDFFP project, ), surprisingly little is known about mammalian distribution and responses to fragmentation in eastern Amazonia. As an initial
step towards understanding these responses, we compiled available data on mammalian assemblage composition in four fragments
east of the Tocantins River, in northeastern Pará, Brazil, between 2002 and 2006. These fragments are privately owned and
embedded within a matrix of secondary forest, pasture, slash-and-burn agriculture, and roads. Survey methods included diurnal
line transect censusing, nocturnal censusing, live trapping of small mammals, opportunistic observations, and interviews with
local informants. Despite environmental stresses, nearly all of the expected large mammalian fauna was recorded at least once,
providing reason for optimism. We documented 58 species of mammals in nine orders, and most species we failed to encounter
were small nocturnal taxa for which our sampling effort likely was inadequate. Although preliminary in nature, this study
highlights the need for comprehensive faunal surveys and complementary ecological research on the fauna of extreme eastern
Amazonia. It also indicates that the terrestrial fauna of the region shows indications of resilience in spite of a long history
of exploitation. |
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Keywords: | Amazonia Fragmentation Diversity Surveys |
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