RESUMO
Xenarthrans-anteaters, sloths, and armadillos-have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data.
RESUMO
Abstract: The implementation of private areas focused on conservation of species and habitats, combined with REDD+ policies, has become an important ally for biodiversity conservation, expanding the conservation areas of the most varied habitats, covering key groups such as large mammals, which are extremely important for the maintenance of ecosystem services. In the upper region of the Purus River in Acre, Brazil, an inventory was carried out using camera-traps, of medium and large mammals community in a private REDD+ area, known as the Purus Project. A total of 19 species of mammals were recorded with an effort of 1859 trap-nigths, including rare, endangered and key species. It is estimated that the richness for the area is of 22 species. Endangered and rare species such as the tapir (Tapirus terrestris) and the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis) presented high rates of relative abundance compared to other Conservation Units (UCs). The richness of medium to large-sized mammals recorded in the Purus Project underscores the importance of REDD+ in private areas for the conservation of this group, given the challenges for inclusion and creation of new protected areas. REDD+ projects in privates' areas become an important component for conservation of species and the connection between public conservation units favoring the spread of species and populations between areas, and consequently the gene flow.
Resumo: A implementação de áreas privadas voltadas para conservação de espécies e habitats, aliadas a políticas de REDD+, tem se tornado importante aliada para conservação da biodiversidade, ampliando as regiões de conservação dos mais variados habitats, abrangendo grupos chaves como grandes mamíferos, extremamente importantes para manutenção dos serviços ecossistêmicos. Na região do alto rio Purus, Acre, Brasil, foi realizado um inventário utilizando armadilhas fotográficas, da comunidade de mamíferos de médio e grande porte de uma área privada de REDD+, o Projeto Purus. Foram registradas 19 espécies de mamíferos, com um esforço de 1.859 armadilhas-noite, incluindo chaves, raras e ameaçadas de extinção. Estima-se que a riqueza esperada para a área seja de 22 espécies. Espécies ameaçadas e raras como a Anta (Tapirus terrestris) e o Cachorro-do-mato (Atelocynus microtis) apresentaram taxas de abundância relativa elevadas, comparadas com outras UCs. A riqueza de médios e grandes mamíferos registrados na região do Projeto Purus ressalta a importância de REDD+ em áreas privadas para conservação deste grupo, dado os desafios para inclusão e criação de novas áreas protegidas públicas. Assim projetos de REDD+ em áreas privadas se tornam um importante componente para conservação de espécies e para a conexão entre Unidades de Conservação públicas favorecendo a dispersão de espécies e populações entre áreas, e consequentemente o fluxo gênico.