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Mammal conservation papers presented at conference in Brazil Annual Meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology July 24, 2005 Below is a sampling of some of the mammal conservation-related papers submitted for the conference. All descriptions are excepts from the official "Book of Abstracts" from the meeting. More abstracts. ALIAGA-ROSSEL, ENZO; Fragoso, Jose. M.; Kays, Roland. University of Hawaii at Manoa, 3190 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI 96822, enzo((AT))hawaii.edu, fragoso((AT))hawaii.edu. Curator of Mammals New York State Museum, CEC 3140 Albany, NY 12230, USA, rkays((AT))mail.nysed.gov. This study considers the scale of seasonal movement patterns within home ranges of the Central American Agoutis (Dasyprocta punctata). Twelve agoutis were captured and nine were radiocollared and tracked from January 2003 to December 2003 on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. 2,177 location fixes were recorded for all agoutis. Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP 100%) home range size for the 12 resident agoutis varied from 2.02 to 4.36 ha (X2=3.02) for males and 1- 2.41 ha (X2=1.66) for females, while adaptive kernel method home range sizes ranged from 1.56 to 2.45 Ha (SE=0.173) for males and 1.34 to 1.97 ha (SE=0.13) for females. Monthly home range sizes were similar, but showed a monthly and seasonal shift in location. Daily movement distances averaged 850 m (± 215), and were affected by especially the availability of palms (Astrocaryum, Attalea, and Oenocarpus), and Dipterix trees. Most agouti bedding or resting sites consisted of fallen hollow logs, low tangled vine areas, or the space under fallen logs in the forest. USE OF LINEAR TRANSECTS FOR ASSESSING MAMMAL COMMUNITIES AND POPULATIONS: LIMITATIONS OF SHORT-TERM STUDIES. BARROS, CAMILA S.; Carvalho, Fábio M. V.; Carlos, Henrique S. A.; Fernandez, Fernando A. S.; Travassos, Leandro; Pereira, Peônia B. M.; Sandino, M. Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 21941- 590, Brazil, cbarros((AT))biologia.ufrj.br (CSB, FMVC, FASF, LT, PBMP, MS). Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte MG, CEP: 31270-901, Brazil. (HSAC). Linear transects, widely used for assess mammalian community composition and population abundances, have serious limitations in short-term studies. Medium-sized and large mammals were censused within an ecological evaluation for Poço das Antas Biological Reserve, southeastern Brazil. Six transects (1-1.5km each) were sampled for 12 days at the dry and wet seasons of 2003 (154.5km distance). The species found were Dasypus novemcinctus, Cebus apella, Leontopithecus rosa lia, Allouatta guariba, Sciurus aestuans , Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris , Nasua nasua and Tamandua tetradactyla; only the first (42 sightings) was recorded more than five times. Community composition could not be reliably assessed, as 35 species known from previous studies at the reserve were not detected. Abundance could be estimated (Distance method) only for D. novemcinctus; for remaining species sampling error was unacceptably high. Nevertheless, many other studies with linear transects in Brazil are frailed with similar s ampling problems. For most species and habitats, sample sizes needed for reliable estimates can only be obtained with prohibitively long census distances. Linear transect sampling for mammals has often been abused, and it can generate reliable estimates only with longterm studies and for a limited cast of species and habitats, such as primates in forests, and big ungulates in grasslands and savannas. THE FUTURE MAMMALS OF THE AMAZON. AZEVEDO-RAMOS, CLAUDIA; Amaral, Benedito D. do; Curran, Lisa M.; McDonald, A.; Soares-Filho, Britaldo; Nepstad, Daniel. Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazonia, SCLN 210, Bl. C, sala 211, 70862-530 Brasília, DF, Brazil (c.azevedo-ramos((AT))terra.com.br) (CAR., BA). Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, 370 Prospect St., New Haven, CT, 06511, USA, (LMC, AM). Centro de Sensoriamento Remoto/Centro de desenvolvimento e Planejamento Regional, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil (BSF); Woods Hole Research Center, P.O. Box 296, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA (DCN). We assessed how land-cover change in Amazonia would potentially affect forest cover within mammal species ranges with future trajectories of deforestation in Amazonia. Land use change from 1996 to 2001 was generated from Landsat ETM+ and projected for 50 years using DINAMICA model. A mammal vulnerable index was calculated using multicriteria analysis on available variables (habitat use, IUCN red list categories, CITES categories and h unting pressure). We identified species assemblages with similar habitat requirements using cluster analysis. Based on a comparison between land-cover change and the vulnerable index, we generated maps identifying vulnerable regions for mammals under different development scenarios. This approach can be easily adapted regionally or to other taxa. Maps are powerful tools to visually access complex systems. These results may help decision makers to consider ecological costs and benefits of different development strategies for Amazonia and assist conservation biologists to identify vulnerable species and regions for conservation strategies. COMPARATIVE DEMOGRAPHY OF ASIAN ELEPHANT POPULATIONS (Elephas maximus) IN SOUTHERN INDIA. ARIVAZHAGAN, C.; Sukumar, Raman. Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India, rsuku((AT))ces.iisc.ernet.in. We studied the population structure and demography of the endangered Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) across three populations (Nagarahole National Park, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Periyar Tiger Reserve) in southern India with different levels of poaching pressure. Poaching for ivory selectively eliminates tusked male elephants from the population. Data on agesex structure through visual observation and photography method were collected over a 3-year period (2001-2003). The adult sex ratio (number of males to females) in Nagarahole, which has a low level of poaching pressure, was about 1:5 that in Mudumalai with medium poaching pressure was 1:28, and that in Periyar with high poaching pressure in the past was 1:61. The proportion of adult males in Nagarahole was relatively stable across the study period, that in Mudumalai decreased slightly, while in Periyar it increased slightly. The fertility rate was 0.26 births per mature female per year in Nagarahole, 0.23 in Mudumalai, and 0.20 in Periyar. We thus discuss the possible effects of ivory poaching on population structure and demography of elephants, and implications for conservation. THOUSANDS MISSING? THE STATUS OF MYANMAR'S ELEPHANTS. LEIMGRUBER, PETER; Wemmer, Chris; Kelly, Dan; Müller, Thomas. Smithsonian's National Zoological Park, Conservation and Research Center, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA, leimgruberp((AT))si.edu (PL, CW, DM, TM). California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA (CW). No other country in Asia has been so closely identified in the popular imagination with elephants than Myanmar (Burma). Books by J. H. Williams-better known as "Elephant Bill"-have greatly contributed to this popular fame. Yet, despite this prominence, little is known about the status of remaining Asian elephant populations in that country. In collaboration with the Myanmar Forest Department, the Smithsonian conducted a National Elephant Conservation Workshop and Symposium in May 2004. Elephant experts from around the country met in Myanmar's capital city to discuss the distribution and status of wild elephant populations. In addition, the experts evaluated current people-elephant conflicts and other threats to the survival of wild elephants in Myanmar. We have combined the information from the workshop with data from population surveys, tracking and people-elephant conflict studies the Smithsonian has conducted. The results indicate that Myanmar's wild elephant population is probably much lower than the previously estimated 6,000 to 10,000 DEERS AND PECCARY DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, AND HABITAT IN TABASCO, MEXICO. BELLOGUTIERREZ, JOAQUIN; Guzmán-Aguirre, Carlos-Cesar; Chablé-Montero, Candelario. División Académica de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco. Km 0.5 carretera Villahermosa-Cárdenas, Entronque a Bosques de Saloya, Villahermosa, Tabasco. México. joaquin.bello((AT))cicea.ujat.mx. Ascertaining species distribution and abundance is basic for conservation strategies, especially in regions like Tabasco, which only maintains 2% of original plant cover, affecting large species like white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), brocket deer (Mazama americana), and collared peccary (Pecari tajacu). In this study, we determined these species'distribution, abundance, and microhabitat in La Sierra State Park (SSP) and Tenosique Sierra, Tabasco, located in southeastern Mexico. On 500 x 1 m transects, distribution and abundance were determined from tracks. Microhabitat characteriza tion was based on herb cover, thermic and protection cover from predators. Also we measured shrub and tree richness, density, and height. The collared peccary had the widest distribution, appearing in 12 sites of the SSP and seven in Tenosique. It was followed by the white-tailed deer and brocket deer. The most abundant species was collared peccary and the least brocket deer (P=0.001). Significant differences were found in total protective cover (P= 0.04), 100-150 (P=0.02) and 150-200 (P=0.02) strata, lowest for the brocket deer. Tree height and diversity were highest for the habitat of collared peccary (P= 0.05 and 0.007, respectively). All species use altered sites, especially collared peccary and white-tailed deer, but ones with high cover (80%), while brocket deer uses well-preserved sites. IDENTIFICATION OF PRIORITY AREAS FOR BAT INVENTORIES. AGUIAR, LUDMILLA M. S.; Machado, Ricardo B. Embrapa Cerrados, BR 020 km 18 Cx. P. 08223 - CEP 73310-970, Planaltina, DF - Brazil. ludmillla((AT))cpac.embrapa.br (LMSA). Conservação Internacional - SAUS Quadra 3 Lote C Ed. Business Point sala 722 - 70070-934 Brasília-DF - Brazil (RBM). Bats represent almost half of the mammal richness in some Brazilian biomes and are very important in ecological processes such as seed dispersal, pollination and plague control. They also play an important role in sanitary issues due to rabies transmission. In spite of their important role in Brazilian ecosystems the exact number of bat species in the country is yet not precisely known. Current estimatives indicate a total of 142 species in Brazil, but the inventories and collections are unevenly distributed through the country. A literature compilation of data showing all localities minimally sampled for bats (more than 20 species per locality) indicates that 98% of the countrys area is not surveyed. In order to identify gaps in bat knowledge and define priority areas for inventories We overlaid four maps: areas with any bat registry, areas possibly covered by existing bat research groups, existing protected areas (conservation units and indigenous reserves) and crossed these maps with the one of priority areas for conservation defined by the Environmental Ministry of Brazil. The results show that there are at least 142 high priority areas for bat inventories in Brazil, and the existing research groups could easily access 58% of them with minimal cost. BATS ON THE BRINK: CONSERVATION OF SEYCHELLES CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SHEATH TAILED BAT (Coleura seychellensis). BLYTH, ANDREW; Bradford, Timothy; Burthe, Sarah; Craig, Louise; Downes, Nick; Laing, Sinclair; Marshall-Ball, Lorraine; McGowan, Denise. The World Land Trust, Blyth House, Bridge Street, Halesworth, Suffolk, UK, IP19 8AB, andygblyth((AT))hotmail.com. Coleura seychellensis (Seychelles Sheath-tailed bat) has undergone a severe decline over the past decades. The species is now critically endangered. Ecological and distributional data were collect to allow a conservation action plan for the species. Bats were found only on the west coast of Mahe. No bats were established on Praslin or La Digue.C. seychellensis is only found near the coast, where two previously unknown roosts were discovered. Bats used roads and the edges of coastal forest as commuting and foraging areas. Emergence counts confirmed the existence of 19 bats, at three roosts, however these figures are likely to underestimate the real number of bats in each roost. Faecal analysis revealed that C. seychellensis consumes prey mainly from the orders Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera, feeding mainly on Coleoptera. It is thought that C. seychellensis feeds upon prey opportunistically. Insect sampling showed a greater insect abundance at bat foraging sites. Human development and the tourism industry threaten the survival of the species. Past pesticide use and predation from the introduced Barn owl may have caused the rapid decline. Protection of foraging habitat and roosts sites is required to save this species. Society for Conservation Biology - Brasilia 2005 News index | RSS | News Feed Advertisements: Organic Apparel from Patagonia | Insect-repelling clothing |
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