Abundância, densidade, padrões de atividade e ecologia espacial de felinos silvestres no Parque Estadual do Rio Doce - MG

Abstract

From 2015 to 2019, I studied basic aspects of carnivore ecology in the Rio Doce State Park - RDSP, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Using cameras-trap and spatial/non-spatial capture-recapture models, I compared estimates of ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) abundance and density using different camera deployment strategies (random and systematic) and between seasons (dry and wet). The capture success (2.5 records/100 trap-nights in average) and density estimates obtained with the systematic design were high compared to other studies, especially for non-spatial models. I obtained higher capture-sucess in the dry season than in the wet season (3.2 records/100 trap-nights, 1.8 records/trap-nights, respectively). In general, the systematic installation of cameras produced more accurate estimates and smaller confidence intervals. Still using camera-traps, I described the activity patterns of carnivores and quantified the temporal overlap between ocelots, jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor) and their potential prey. I obtained 11,078 records from 34 vertebrate species. In this study, female jaguars, pumas and ocelots were classified as cathemeral, showing more significant activity during the day, while male jaguars and ocelots were mainly nocturnal. I found a high temporal overlap between these three felid species and their potential prey. I also present the first results concerning the spatial ecology of jaguars and pumas monitored simultaneously in the Atlantic Forest. Using GPS-collars, I tracked two jaguars and five puma for 405 days on average, totaling 17,929 locations. Then I estimated the size of home ranges of jaguars (195.66 km2 in average) and pumas (216.262 km2 in average). Both species showed smaller territories than in other studies in the Atlantic Forest. I observed a high overlap between monitored individuals, ranging from 17 to 89%. Both species selected natural habitats instead of anthropic areas. This study provided new and modern information on the ecology of carnivores in the Atlantic Forest, filling an important knowledge gap and may contribute to the conservation and long-term management of these species in the Atlantic Forest.