Uso de habitats por mamíferos em área de Cerrado do Brasil Central: um estudo com armadilhas fotográficas

RESUMO

An habitat use study of mammals was carried out in three habitats of the Cerrado at Serra das Araras Ecological Station, Mato Grosso stream gallery forest, babaçu (Orbigyna marciana) palm forest, and cerrado scrub savanna. Sampling was accomplished using baited photographic camera traps triggered by infrared sensor and/or trip cord. Camera traps were armed at each sampling locality for ten consecutive days for totalling 560 camera-nights. Seventeen species of mammals were registered, including threatened or endangered species such as the giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), puma (Puma concolor), and ocelote (Leopardus pardalis). Puma (Puma concolor), paca (Agouti paca), agouti (Dasyprocta punctata), and tapir (Tapirus terrestris), were photographed frequently, suggesting high population densities of these species at Serra das Araras. Puma appeared to be the most generalist of the large mammals, using all three habitat types. The majority of species were photographed only in forest habitats. In cerrado (sensu stricto), only three species were recorded puma, giant anteater, and giant armadillo. The results suggest that conservation of the cerrado and associated habitats is of fundamental importance for the preservation of several threatened and endangered species.